Feature
Central banks on the web: why are we there?
Central banks must go beyond the minimum of data provision if they are to build an image and address the growing demands of their diverse audience, argues Brent Eades of the Bank of Canada.
A shroud of secrecy
A new survey by Steve Hanke and Matt Sekerke suggests that while central banks pay lip service to transparency, many of them do not practice it.
Accounting for reserves
John Nugée highlights the disparities in alternative accounting treatment of external reserves. Portfolio management decisions increasingly have to take these into account, with unforeseen consequences for markets.
The Polish conflict
Stanislaw Gomulka surveys the institutional causes and economic consequences of the bitter dispute between the government and central bank in Poland. The inexperience of both suggests a European solution.
Behind the scenes in Basel
Neil Courtis ventures into the BIS in Basel and finds an institution in the process of redefining its role.
The Euro 50 Group Roundtable: The dangers of inflexibility
There is a fundamental clash of logics at the centre of the debate on accession. Despite legal considerations, different countries in different economic circumstances require a flexible approach, argues Charles Wyplosz.
The Euro 50 Group Roundtable: Challenges of accession: Estonia
Märten Ross, a deputy governor at the Bank of Estonia, considers alternative scenarios for joining the euro. After ten years’ experience of a currency board, Estonia is more than prepared to join.
The Euro 50 Group Roundtable: Is Maastricht too tough?
György Szapáry assesses the credentials of candidate countries for joining economic and monetary union. Existing euro countries have nothing to fear and candidates everything to gain, he argues.
The Euro 50 Group Roundtable: Monetary implications of accession
Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz discusses challenges to monetary policy that central banks in candidate countries will face. Governments should be wary of too early an entry.
The Euro 50 Group Roundtable: The pact's performance and prospects
Pedro Solbes, a member of the European Commission, discusses the performance of, and prospects for, the stability and growth pact.
The Euro 50 Group Roundtable: The monetary dimension of European enlargement
Introduction by Edmond Alphandéry, former French finance minister and chairman of the Euro 50 group1.
Why Britain should not join the euro
Janet Bush rejects the economic benefits of monetary union and argues that there is insurmountable opposition to the necessary complementary institution, a European government.
Establishing the credibility of inflation targets
Jannie Rossouw argues that inflation targetting alone is insufficient. Belief in the credibility of the inflation measure itself is essential for a successful policy.
Rational and irrational bubbles
How should central banks react to “irrational exuberance”? Central banks cannot burst what they cannot see, contends Allan Meltzer.
Website of the year
The governor of the Bank of Canada, David Dodge, was in London to receive the award for the best central bank website for 2003.
Reserve management: a new era
Dramatic changes in international markets and the role of reserves demand a re-appraisal of reserve management. Terrence Keeley urges more openness and public debate about reserve management