Jean-Pierre Landau

Markus Konrad Brunnermeier

Why is Europe's great monetary endeavor, the Euro, in trouble? A string of economic difficulties in Greece, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and other Eurozone nations has left observers wondering whether the currency union can survive. In this book, Markus Brunnermeier, Harold James, and Jean-Pierre Landau argue that the core problem with the Euro lies in the philosophical differences between the founding countries of the Eurozone, particularly Germany and France. But the authors also show how these seemingly incompatible differences can be reconciled to ensure Europe's survival. As the authors demonstrate, Germany, a federal state with strong regional governments, saw the Maastricht Treaty, the framework for the Euro, as a set of rules. France, on the other hand, with a more centralized system of government, saw the framework as flexible, to be overseen by governments. The authors discuss how the troubles faced by the Euro have led its member states to focus on national, as opposed to collective, responses, a reaction explained by the resurgence of the battle of economic ideas: rules vs. discretion, liability vs. solidarity, solvency vs. liquidity, austerity vs. stimulus. Weaving together economic analysis and historical reflection, "The Euro and the Battle of Ideas "provides a forensic investigation and a road map for Europe's future.

The Euro and the Battle of Ideas

Harold James

Markus K. Brunnermeier

Etliche Beobachter sind der Ansicht, dass der Euro die aktuelle Krise nicht überleben wird. Anders die Ökonomen Markus Brunnermeier und Jean-Pierre Landau, ein Deutscher und ein Franzose, sowie der britische Wirtschaftshistoriker Harold James. Sie sehen ein Kernproblem des Euro in den unterschiedlichen Wirtschaftskulturen der Euroländer, insbesondere Deutschlands und Frankreichs, die es zu überwinden gilt. Seit der Eurokrise setzen die Mitgliedsländer wieder auf nationale Lösungen, statt gemeinsame Antworten auf die europäischen Probleme zu suchen. Der Kampf der Wirtschaftskulturen ist entbrannt. Während das föderal geprägte Deutschland in der Fiskalpolitik auf starren Regeln beharrt, verlangt das zentralistische Frankreich Stimulusprogramme und eine flexible Handhabung, die den Regierungen Ermessensspielräume lässt. Für die Deutschen sind Finanzierungsengpässe vorwiegend auf Insolvenzprobleme zurückzuführen, die struktureller Reformen bedürfen, wogegen die Franzosen sie als temporäre Liquiditätsprobleme ansehen, die mit einer staatlichen Überbrückungsfinanzierung zu bewältigen sind. Dieses Buch plädiert für die Überwindung dieser Frontstellungen zugunsten einer gemeinsamen europäischen Wirtschaftskultur. Es verbindet ökonomische Analyse und ideengeschichtliche Reflexion und entwirft einen Fahrplan für Europas Zukunft.

Der Kampf der Wirtschaftskulturen

Euro

How philosophical differences between Eurozone nations led to the Euro crisis—and where to go from here Why is Europe's great monetary endeavor, the Euro, in trouble? A string of economic difficulties in Greece, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and other Eurozone nations has left observers wondering whether the currency union can survive. In this book, Markus Brunnermeier, Harold James, and Jean-Pierre Landau argue that the core problem with the Euro lies in the philosophical differences between the founding countries of the Eurozone, particularly Germany and France. But the authors also show how these seemingly incompatible differences can be reconciled to ensure Europe’s survival. As the authors demonstrate, Germany, a federal state with strong regional governments, saw the Maastricht Treaty, the framework for the Euro, as a set of rules. France, on the other hand, with a more centralized system of government, saw the framework as flexible, to be overseen by governments. The authors discuss how the troubles faced by the Euro have led its member states to focus on national, as opposed to collective, responses, a reaction explained by the resurgence of the battle of economic ideas: rules vs. discretion, liability vs. solidarity, solvency vs. liquidity, austerity vs. stimulus. Weaving together economic analysis and historical reflection, The Euro and the Battle of Ideas provides a forensic investigation and a road map for Europe’s future.

Why is Europe’s great monetary endeavor, the Euro, in trouble? A string of economic difficulties in Eurozone nations has left observers wondering whether the currency union can survive. In this book, Markus Brunnermeier, Harold James, and Jean-Pierre Landau argue that the core problem with the Euro lies in the philosophical differences between the founding countries of the Eurozone, particularly Germany and France. But the authors also show how these seemingly incompatible differences can be reconciled to ensure Europe’s survival. Weaving together economic analysis and historical reflection, The Euro and the Battle of Ideas provides a forensic investigation and a road map for Europe’s future.

Jean-Pierre Landau

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