This text brings together economists and political scientists to explain why the creation of a European monetary union is so contentious, how the debate has affected the political determination to construct a monetary union, and how it will influence the functioning of EMU into the next century.

This clear and balanced book brings together economists and political scientists to explain why the creation of a European monetary union is so contentious, how the debate has affected the political determination to construct a monetary union, and how it will influence the functioning of EMU into the next century. Focusing on the interaction of economics and politics, the authors provide an innovative analysis of a spectrum of related issues: how EMU relates to Europe's unemployment crisis, how it will affect the process of economic adjustment, what convergence means for the performance of the member states separately, and how the member states will decide both whether to participate themselves and whom else to admit to the monetary club.