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How bad is Divergence in the Euro-Zone? Lessons from the United States of America and Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Sebastian Dullien

    (Financial Times Deutschland)

  • Ulrich Fritsche

    (Department for Economics and Politics, University of Hamburg, and DIW Berlin)

Abstract

This paper compares relative unit labour cost developments in the countries of the euro-area since the beginning of the European Monetary Union (EMU) both with historical developments and with intra-regional unit labour cost developments in the United States of America and Germany. To this end, unit labour cost indices for the US states and census regions from 1977 to 1997 as well as for the German Länder from 1970 to 2004 have been constructed. Against this benchmark, it is found that unit labour cost increases since 1999 in Portugal and to a lesser extent in Spain and Greece can be judged as excessive, pointing at labour market rigidities which might impair smooth working of EMU in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Dullien & Ulrich Fritsche, 2006. "How bad is Divergence in the Euro-Zone? Lessons from the United States of America and Germany," Macroeconomics and Finance Series 200605, University of Hamburg, Department of Socioeconomics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hep:macppr:200605
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    File URL: https://www.wiso.uni-hamburg.de/repec/hepdoc/macppr_5_2006.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Torres,Francisco & Giavazzi,Francesco (ed.), 1993. "Adjustment and Growth in the European Monetary Union," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521440196, January.
    2. Olivier J. Blanchard & Lawrence H. Summers, 1986. "Hysteresis and the European Unemployment Problem," NBER Chapters, in: NBER Macroeconomics Annual 1986, Volume 1, pages 15-90, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Janet L. Yellen & George A. Akerlof, 2006. "Stabilization Policy: A Reconsideration," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 44(1), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Enderlein, Henrik, 2004. "Nationale Wirtschaftspolitik in der europäischen Währungsunion," Schriften aus dem Max-Planck-Institut für Gesellschaftsforschung Köln, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, volume 49, number 49.
    5. Lane, Philip, 2006. "The Real Effects of EMU," CEPR Discussion Papers 5536, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. Robert E. Lucas Jr., 2003. "Macroeconomic Priorities," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(1), pages 1-14, March.
    7. Bernd Hayo, 2007. "Is European Monetary Policy Appropriate for the EMU Member Countries? A Counterfactual Analysis," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: David Cobham (ed.), The Travails of the Eurozone, chapter 4, pages 67-94, Palgrave Macmillan.
    8. Blanchard, Olivier J. & Summers, Lawrence H., 1987. "Hysteresis in unemployment," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1-2), pages 288-295.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alberto Botta, 2014. "Structural Asymmetries at the Roots of the Eurozone Crisis: What’s New for Industrial Policy in the EU?," Economics Working Paper Archive wp_794, Levy Economics Institute.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Unit labor costs; divergence; convergence; Euro-zone; inflation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business
    • F4 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance
    • N2 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions

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