@book {67626,
	title = {Europe and the Euro (National Bureau of Economic Research Conference Report)},
	year = {2010},
	note = {Alesina, Alberto. Europe and the Euro. University of Chicago Press, 2010.},
	month = {Apr 1, 2010},
	publisher = {University of Chicago Press},
	organization = {University of Chicago Press},
	abstract = {It is rare for countries to give up their currencies and thus 
their ability to influence such critical aspects of their economies as 
interest and exchange rates. Yet ten years ago a number of European 
countries did exactly that when they adopted the euro. Despite some 
dissent, there were a number of arguments in favor of this policy 
change: it would facilitate exchange of goods, money, and people by 
decreasing costs; it would increase trade; and it would enhance 
efficiency and competitiveness at the international level. A 
decade is an ideal time frame over which to evaluate the success of the 
euro and whether it has lived up to expectations. To that aim, Europe and the Euro
 looks at a number of important issues, including the effects of the 
euro on reform of goods and labor markets; its influence on business 
cycles and trade among members; and whether the single currency has 
induced convergence or divergence in the economic performance of member 
countries. While adoption of the euro may not have met the expectations 
of its most optimistic proponents, the benefits have been many, and 
there is reason to believe that the euro is robust enough to survive 
recent economic shocks. This volume is an essential reference on the 
first ten years of the euro and the workings of a monetary union.},
	url = {http://www.press.uchicago.edu/},
	author = {Alesina, Alberto}
}
