Barry Eichengreen Livres

The book explores the critical juncture of European monetary unification (EMU) as member states prepare to decide on the establishment of a single currency, the Euro. It examines seven key aspects, including the theory of optimum currency areas, comparisons with existing monetary unions, and the implications for fiscal policy and labor markets. The author presents EMU as an evolving process rather than a definitive outcome, emphasizing that its success will depend on governance and market adaptation over time.

Capital account liberalization - orderly, properly sequence, and befitting the individual circumstances of countries- is an inevitable step for all countries wishing to realize the benefits of the globalized economy. This paper reviews the theories behind capital account liberalization and examines the dangers associated with free capital flows. The authors conclude that the dangers can be limited through a combination of sound macroeconomic and prudential policies.

Over the second half of the twentieth century, the average European's buying power tripled, while working hours fell by a third. This work offers an account of the extraordinary development of Europe's economy since the end of World War II.

This book offers a reassessment of the international monetary problems that led to the global economic crisis of the 1930s. It explores the connections between the gold standard--the framework regulating international monetary affairs until 1931--and the Great Depression that broke out in 1929. Eichengreen shows how economic policies, in conjunction with the imbalances created by World War I, gave rise to the global crisis of the 1930s. He demonstrates that the gold standard fundamentally constrained the economic policies that were pursued and that it was largely responsible for creating the unstable economic environment on which those policies acted. The book also provides a valuable perspective on the economic policies of the post-World War II period and their consequences.

The Great Depression and the Great Recession are the two great economic crises of the past hundred years. In Hall of Mirrors, Barry Eichengreen draws on his unparalleled expertise for a brilliantly conceived dual-track account of the two crises and their consequences.

Exploring the vulnerabilities of the global economy, the book delves into the increasing risk of financial contagion due to open markets. Barry Eichengreen analyzes recent crises and critiques the current international financial framework, offering insights on improving crisis management and prevention. He highlights how attempts to bolster the financial system may inadvertently complicate matters for poorer nations, emphasizing the need for a more equitable approach to financial stability.

"A brilliantly conceived dual-track account of the two greatest economic crises of the last century and their consequences"--

"In Global Imbalances and the Lessons of Bretton Woods, Barry Eichengreen takes issue with the argument that today's international financial system is largely analogous to the Bretton Woods system of the period 1958 to 1973. Then, as now, it has been argued, the United States ran balance of payment deficits, provided international reserves to other countries, and acted as export market of last resort for the rest of the world. Then, as now, the story continues, other countries were reluctant to revalue their currencies for fear of seeing their export-led growth slow and suffering capital losses on their foreign reserves. Eichengreen argues in response that the power of historical analogy lies not just in finding parallels but in highlighting differences, and indeed he finds important differences in the structure of the world economy today."--Jacket

"Public debts have exploded to levels unprecedented in recent history as governments responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their rise prompted apocalyptic warnings about the dangers of heavy debts - about the drag they will place on economic growth and for future generations. This book adds the other side of the equation: drawing on history, it provides a defence of public debt. It shows that the ability of governments to borrow has played a critical role in meeting emergencies, from wars and pandemics to economic and financial crises, as well as in funding essential public goods and services such as transportation, education and healthcare. In these ways, the capacity to issue debt has been integral to state building. Transactions in public debt securities have also contributed to the development of private financial markets and, through this channel, to modern economic growth. None of this is to deny that debt problems, debt crises and debt defaults occur. But these dramatic events, which attract much attention, are not the entire story. In Defence of Public Debt redresses the balance. It develops its arguments historically, recounting two millennia of public debt experience. It deploys a comprehensive database to identify the factors behind rising public debts and the circumstances under which high debts are successfully brought down. Finally, it brings the story up to date, describing the role of public debt in managing the Covid-19 pandemic and suggesting a way forward once governments, now more heavily indebted than before, finally emerge from the crisis"-- Provided by publisher

The story of how the dollar rose to global dominance in the twentieth century - and an assessment of what the future holds for the world's most important currency.