Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa - General Issues
Karl Wohlmuth, Achim Gutowski, M. Kandil, Tobias Knedlik, O. O. Uzor
African Development Perspectives Yearbook, Vol. 16,
2014
Abstract
In Volume 16 with the title “Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa - General Issues“ new macroeconomic policy frameworks for Africa are discussed. Emphasis is on macroeconomic policies focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth, especially by considering the employment targeting of macroeconomic policy frameworks in Africa. The responses of the macroeconomic policymakers in Africa to the Euro crisis and to the recent globalization trends are reviewed and analyzed. The role of macroeconomic policies for generating sustainable and inclusive growth is also discussed. In Volume 16 also the economics of the “Arab Spring“ countries is analyzed, by focusing on the socioeconomic conditions and the economic policy factors that have led to the “Arab Spring“ events. Highlighted are the cases of Egypt and Tunisia, and the new strategic and policy frameworks in these countries after the democratic changes. An agenda for comprehensive policy reforms for the Arab countries in Africa is presented. In forthcoming Volume 17 with the title “Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa - Country Cases“ macroeconomic policies in African post-conflict countries and in the ECOWAS region are considered. Volume 17 contains also a section with Book Reviews and Book Notes.
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Is More Finance Better? Disentangling Intermediation and Size Effects of Financial Systems
Thorsten Beck, Hans Degryse, Christiane Kneer
Journal of Financial Stability,
2014
Abstract
Financial systems all over the world have grown dramatically over recent decades. But is more finance necessarily better? And what concept of financial system – a focus on its size, including both intermediation and other auxiliary “non-intermediation” activities, or a focus on traditional intermediation activity – is relevant for its impact on real sector outcomes? This paper assesses the relationship between the size of the financial system and intermediation, on the one hand, and GDP per capita growth and growth volatility, on the other hand. Based on a sample of 77 countries for the period 1980–2007, we find that intermediation activities increase growth and reduce volatility in the long run. An expansion of the financial sectors along other dimensions has no long-run effect on real sector outcomes. Over shorter time horizons a large financial sector stimulates growth at the cost of higher volatility in high-income countries. Intermediation activities stabilize the economy in the medium run especially in low-income countries. As this is an initial exploration of the link between financial system indicators and growth and volatility, we focus on OLS regressions, leaving issues of endogeneity and omitted variable biases for future research.
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Der Koalitionsvertrag und die mittelfristige wirtschaftliche Entwicklung in Deutschland – mittelfristige Projektion für die Jahre 2013 bis 2018
Hans-Ulrich Brautzsch, Katja Drechsel, Oliver Holtemöller, Brigitte Loose, Götz Zeddies
Konjunktur aktuell,
No. 1,
2014
Abstract
Die schwache Entwicklung im Winterhalbjahr 2012/2013 hat auch ein niedrigeres durchschnittliches Wirtschaftswachstum in der mittleren Frist in Deutschland zur Folge als noch im Herbst unterstellt. Unter Berücksichtigung der Prognose für die Jahre 2014 und 2015 des IWH vom Dezember 2013 ist zwischen 2012 und 2018 mit einer durchschnittlichen Wachstumsrate des Bruttoinlandsproduktes von 1¼% pro Jahr zu rechnen. Hierbei wird angenommen, dass die Kapazitäten der deutschen Wirtschaft mittelfristig leicht überdurchschnittlich ausgelastet sein werden, unter anderem weil die einheitliche europäische Geldpolitik in Deutschland noch längere Zeit expansiv wirken dürfte. Die Einführung eines flächendeckenden gesetzlichen Mindestlohns dürfte hingegen dämpfend wirken.
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Note on the Hidden Risk of Inflation
Makram El-Shagi, Sebastian Giesen
Journal of Economic Policy Reform,
No. 1,
2014
Abstract
The continued expansionary policy of the Federal Reserve gives rise to speculation whether the Fed will be able to maintain price stability in the coming decades. Most of the scientific work relating money to prices relies on broad monetary aggregates (i.e. M2 for the United States). In our paper, we argue that this view falls short. The historically unique monetary expansion has not yet fully reached M2. Using a cointegration approach, we aim to show the hidden risks for the future development of M2 and correspondingly prices. In a simulation analysis we show that even if the multiplier remains substantially below its pre-crisis level, M2 will exceed its current growth path with a probability of 95%.
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Vierteljährliche Konjunkturberichterstattung für das Land Sachsen-Anhalt - Die gesamtwirtschaftliche Lage im 3. Quartal 2013 -
Brigitte Loose, Hans-Ulrich Brautzsch, Franziska Exß
IWH Online,
No. 1,
2014
Abstract
Der Wachstumskurs, auf den die Wirtschaft in Sachsen-Anhalt nach der Schwäche im Winterhalbjahr eingeschwenkt ist, hat sich im Herbst weiter fortgesetzt. Das preisbereinigte Bruttoinlandsprodukt in Sachsen-Anhalt dürfte im dritten Quartal sogar stärker zugenommen haben als in Deutschland. Insbesondere das Verarbeitende Gewerbe dürfte erneut kräftig zugelegt haben. Die schwächere Entwicklung in den Schwellenländern wirkt sich wegen der eher geringen Abhängigkeit von diesen Märkten kaum nachteilig in Sachsen-Anhalt aus. Demgegenüber dürften sich die allmählich bessernden Absatzperspektiven im Euroraum weiterhin positiv niederschlagen. Der Zuwachs aus den Auslandsgeschäften fällt in der Industrie insgesamt sogar etwas kräftiger aus als der aus dem Inland. Von der anhaltenden binnenwirtschaftlichen Erholung in Deutschland profitierte die Industrie in Sachsen-Anhalt aber ebenfalls. Die konsumnahen Branchen legten zu, die Bauproduktion und deren Zulieferbranchen blieben auch angesichts flutbedingter Baumaßnahmen aufwärtsgerichtet. In den Dienstleistungsbereichen zogen mit den steigenden Einkommen der privaten Haushalte der Handel und das Gastgewerbe an, die unternehmensnahen Dienstleister legten im Sog der Industrieproduktion zu. Der Beitrag des staatlichen Sektors zur Wertschöpfung ging bei anhaltender Konsolidierung der öffentlichen Haushalte dagegen zurück.
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Können altindustrielle Städte zu “Hot Spots“ der Kreativwirtschaft werden? Das Beispiel der Medienwirtschaft in Halle
Martin T. W. Rosenfeld
F. Amey und J. Ringel (Hrsg.), Hotspots der Stadtentwicklung. Methoden, Praxis und Perspektiven der gemanagten Stadt,
2014
Abstract
In recent years, creative industries are more and more regarded as important drivers for local economic development. Especially media industry is often seen as a branch with a high potential for those cities where traditional industries have collapsed. Also the city of Halle has tried to stimulate economic activities in the field of media industry. This had been rather successful in several sections of media industry. But the set of locational factors in Halle is not really in favor for media industry. Therefore the potentials for future development are probably limited.
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IT Use, Productivity, and Market Power in Banking
Michael Koetter, Felix Noth
Journal of Financial Stability,
No. 4,
2013
Abstract
Information management is a core process in banking that can resolve information asymmetries and thereby help to mitigate competitive pressure. We test if the use of information technology (IT) contributes to bank output, and how IT-augmented bank productivity relates to differences in market power. Detailed bank-level information on the use of IT reveals a substantial upward bias in bank productivity estimates when ignoring banks’ IT expenditures. IT-augmented bank productivity correlates positively with Lerner markups. A mere increase in IT expenditures, however, reduces markups. Results hold across a range of bank output definitions and productivity estimation methods.
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What Do We Learn from Schumpeterian Growth Theory?
Philippe Aghion, Ufuk Akcigit, Peter Howitt
P. Aghion, S. N. Durlauf (eds.), Handbook of Economic Growth, Volume 2B, Amsterdam: North Holland,
2014
Abstract
Schumpeterian growth theory has operationalized Schumpeter’s notion of creative destruction by developing models based on this concept. These models shed light on several aspects of the growth process that could not be properly addressed by alternative theories. In this survey, we focus on four important aspects, namely: (i) the role of competition and market structure; (ii) firm dynamics; (iii) the relationship between growth and development with the notion of appropriate growth institutions; and (iv) the emergence and impact of long-term technological waves. In each case, Schumpeterian growth theory delivers predictions that distinguish it from other growth models and which can be tested using micro data.
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Granularity in Banking and Growth: Does Financial Openness Matter?
Franziska Bremus, Claudia M. Buch
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 14,
2013
Abstract
We explore the impact of large banks and of financial openness for aggregate growth. Large banks matter because of granular effects: if markets are very concentrated in terms of the size distribution of banks, idiosyncratic shocks at the bank-level do not cancel out in the aggregate but can affect macroeconomic outcomes. Financial openness may affect GDP growth in and of itself, and it may also influence concentration in banking and thus the impact of bank-specific shocks for the aggregate economy. To test these relationships, we use different measures of de jure and de facto financial openness in a linked micro-macro panel dataset. Our research has three main findings: First, bank-level shocks significantly impact on GDP. Second, financial openness lowers GDP growth. Third, granular effects tend to be stronger in financially closed economies.
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