Abstract
Abstract The currency and economic reform of West Germany in 1948 created institutional conditions that permitted a rapid postwar recovery. The reforms were based on the idea of privilege-free competition as a means towards a functioning economic order which is acceptable to participants. The crisis-management policies in the EMU after 2009 go in the opposite direction. Based on technocratic arguments, European institutions have granted privileges in form of bailouts. Indirectly, the ECB has granted further privileges through its ultra-loose monetary policy. The expected consequences are less competition, higher concentration of economic and political power, “zombification” of firms and banks as well as lower productivity and output growth. The lesson from West Germany’s reform for the EMU is the importance of privilege-free competition for economic development.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.