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The European Monetary System and the Franc-Mark Asymmetry

Author

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  • Cohen, Daniel
  • Melitz, Jacques
  • Oudiz, Gilles

Abstract

What purpose does the European Monetary System serve? Who benefits from it? Is it a Deutschmark zone? Or could one argue that, despite the asymmetrical positions of France and Germany, the System does serve a certain collective interest? An attempt to answer these questions reveals a basic paradox in the System: the operation of the EMS tends to undermine its own raison d'etre. In its present form, the EMS relies on superior monetary discipline in Germany, but this breeds monetary discipline elsewhere and therefore lessens the need of other members to lean on Germany for this advantage. The EMS will therefore need to evolve if it is to remain viable. The lines of possible evolution include a movement towards monetary union. The consequences for fiscal policy are particularly important.

Suggested Citation

  • Cohen, Daniel & Melitz, Jacques & Oudiz, Gilles, 1988. "The European Monetary System and the Franc-Mark Asymmetry," CEPR Discussion Papers 245, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:245
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alex Cukierman, 1998. "The Economics of Central Banking," International Economic Association Series, in: Holger C. Wolf (ed.), Contemporary Economic Issues, chapter 3, pages 37-82, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Cukierman, A., 1996. "Targeting Monetary Aggregates and Inflation in Europe," Papers 37-96, Tel Aviv.
    3. George S. Tavlas, 1993. "The ‘New’ Theory of Optimum Currency Areas," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 16(6), pages 663-685, November.
    4. van der Ploeg, F., 1990. "Macroeconomic policy coordination during the various phases of economic and monetary integration in Europe," Discussion Paper 1990-61, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    5. André C. Jordaan, 2015. "Choice of Exchange Rate Regime in a Selection of African Countries," Journal of African Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(3), pages 215-234, September.
    6. Helmut Reisen & Axel Trotsenburg, 1988. "Should the Asian NICs peg to the yen?," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics;Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), vol. 23(4), pages 172-177, July.
    7. Julius Horvath & Magda Kandil & Subhash Sharma, 1998. "On the European monetary system: the spillover effects of German shocks and disinflation," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(12), pages 1585-1593.
    8. F. Van der Ploeg, 1992. "Coordinación de políticas macroeconómicas en las diferentes etapas de la integración económica y monetaria en Europa," EKONOMIAZ. Revista vasca de Economía, Gobierno Vasco / Eusko Jaurlaritza / Basque Government, vol. 24(03), pages 240-286.

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