On the Desirability of Supply-Side Intervention in a Monetary Union

Abstract

This paper examines the desirability of supply-side intervention within a monetary union, given the constraints on monetary and fiscal policy, and compares it with an economic framework characterized by the independence of monetary policy. To this end, we first develop a simple two-country model in order to analyse in strategic terms how the authorities can deal with monetary, real and supply shocks, and the extent to which supply-side intervention may be useful to deal with these shocks. Next, we study whether the formation of a monetary union could be beneficial when there is coordination over labour market intervention.Monetary union, supply-side policies, policy coordination.