Inflation Patterns and Monetary Policy

The preparation for European Monetary Union and the significant drop in inflation characterize the 1990s for European monetary policymakers. In the near future, the European Central Bank will be given the responsibility to fight inflation in the Euro area. This timely book analyses technical, empirical and international monetary policy considerations relevant to the European Central Bank in choosing an appropriate monetary strategy for achieving price stability.

The dynamics of inflation and the choice of a monetary strategy are the binding ingredients of this book. To identify the most effective policy for the European Central Bank, the author uses the experiences of a number of industrialized countries, namely, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, the United States, Canada and New Zealand. It is concluded that monetary targeting would be most effective in fighting inflation. The author also examines in detail the success of economic convergence in Europe and the qualification for participation in the Economic and Monetary Union. He concludes that there has been a remarkable convergence in inflation profiles over the last few decades but hardly any real convergence in the other major economic fields.

This volume takes a fresh and original approach in investigating whether monetary or direct inflation targeting is appropriate for the European Central Bank. It will be of great relevance to monetary policy makers both in Europe and the rest of the world. It will also be of interest to academics and students of monetary economics and econometrics.

Johannes M. Groeneveld, Advisor Strategy, Rabobank Nederland, The Netherlands