The European Crisis

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“The European Crisis is over, Growth has resumed and we can now relax about the viability of the Euro Area” Discuss and evaluate.

The talk of the Euro has been a central debate for economists, since its introduction in 1999 to the tough times it faces today. It was brought in to stimulate growth by increasing trade and creating more integrated financial markets for investors. It allowed member states to forgo exchange rate fluctuation risks and costs, which meant more economic stability and growth. However the EMU was set up, without any exit strategies in place , in order to portray a sense of strength to investors. This seems to be currently hampering Euro Area growth rates with its inflexibility to deal with asymmetric shocks which are yet to be back to pre-crisis levels (see figure 1). Policy makers within the ECB are struggling to create fiscal and monetary measures that will stimulate growth, and brings into question the viability of the Euro as an optimum currency within Europe. This was already shown by the failed reforms of 2010.

The problems in Europe arose when 10 large Euro-zone banks asked for a bailout from the ECB. Lower confidence in markets led banks to cease capital flows which in turn led to financial strains on periphery governments. This ultimately worsened bank balance sheets and important credit creations, increasing government debts (see figure 3). However with all business cycles, there are booms and busts and it is the ECB’s job to smoothen growth over time. Nevertheless the Euro is hampering the recovery rather than stimulating the economies of various nations, and shows its inability to be a suitable optimum currency. These problems, were brought forth during its conception as the area seems to b...

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...it framework, allowing for a more politically united front and permits governments to better re-structure their debt.

The viability of the Euro area depends on Europe’s willingness to become a more united political state. It has become increasing clear that it is not moving towards a banking union or a safe euro asset. The Euro was brought in to stimulate growth, through increased trade and job mobility but has since done little to help the crisis recovery. The demise of the Euro may lead to a crisis with loss in confidence, however in future years it will be looked at as decision that benefits the region and will question why it was brought in place. It seems the longer the decision on the Euro is prolonged, the greater the political backlash will be. Therefore we no forward movement in sight, a retreat in the EMU will almost certainly be inevitable.

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