Asymmetries in housing and financial market institutions and EMU

MacLennan, D. , Muellbauer, J. and Stephens, M. (1998) Asymmetries in housing and financial market institutions and EMU. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 14(3), pp. 54-80. (doi: 10.1093/oxrep/14.3.54)

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Abstract

Despite convergence pressures, differences in housing and financial market institutions across the 15 member states of the European Union are still enormous. This paper argues that they have profound effects on the responsiveness of output and inflation in the different countries to changes in short-term interest rates, as well as to asset-market shocks of external origin. The economic reasoning behind this claim is set out and the institutional differences are described. The paper assesses the sometimes conflicting empirical evidence on this issue. Barriers to convergence and implications for labour-market flexibility are discussed. The UK, Ireland, Finland and Sweden tend to cluster at one extreme of the relevant institutional characteristics. The paper concludes with a set of proposals for institutional reforms which would significantly reduce the tensions within EMU and the potential for instability in these economies entailed by EMU membership.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:MacLennan, Professor Duncan and Stephens, Professor Mark
Authors: MacLennan, D., Muellbauer, J., and Stephens, M.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
Journal Name:Oxford Review of Economic Policy
Publisher:Oxford University Press (OUP)
ISSN:0266-903X
ISSN (Online):1460-2121

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