The three topics covered in the title of this volume have proved to be critical in the remarkable success of modern central banks around the globe in the fight to control inflation and smooth macroeconomic fluctuations. Despite these achievements, some old challenges have come back in recent years and ...

Monetary policy must consider the bi­directional relationship between the economy and its central bank. It should therefore address two essential questions: first, how changes in the economy induce a reaction by the central bank, and second, how these policy changes are in turn transmitted to the ...

The financial crisis that started in 2007 brought the global economy to the brink, and in many respects it is still unfolding, especially in Europe. While a fierce debate continues on how to understand and deal with the crisis, a consensus is emerging with regard to the originating shocks, the mechanisms ...

The financial developments of the last decade have had a large impact on the range of risk diversification contracts available to investors. Based on these complex instruments, the investment possibility frontier was shifted outward and increasingly intricate networks were created. At the same time, ...