Why Are Political Budget Cycles Larger in Monetary Unions?

Research Seminars: ZEW Research Seminar

Independent central banks typically counteract a positive fiscal shock by increasing the interest rate which prevents (or at least reduces) electoral manipulation by the fiscal authority. In the paper presented in this ZEW Research Seminar, the authors argue that this mechanism is less effective in a monetary union because the single central bank must weigh the policies of all its member countries. They find that the ECB actually reacts less to national elections when they take place in only some rather than several member countries. Yet the ECB’s reaction does not stop fiscal authorities from manipulating in any case. These results imply that fiscal manipulation is larger in a monetary union.

Venue

ZEW – Leibniz-Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung

People

Directions

Address

ZEW – Leibniz-Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung

maps

Click the button below to reload the content. (I agree to external content being displayed to me. Read more in our privacy policy).

L 7, 1, 68161 Mannheim
  • Room Luxemburg