Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/41337 
Year of Publication: 
2008
Series/Report no.: 
Arbeitspapiere für Staatswissenschaft No. 31
Publisher: 
Universität Hamburg, Department Wirtschaft und Politik, Hamburg
Abstract: 
It is now a few years since the introduction of the common currency, and Europe is still experiencing high unemployment. The conventional logic attributes this problem to strong trade unions and other flaws in the labour market. This article takes a different approach. Using a game theoretic model we look at the changes that occur if trade unions and the central bank have different options to choose from in a climate of uncertainty. In a singlestage game the most probable outcome is a high unemployment rate as high as the NAIRU. However, there is also a slight chance that a central bank might take the risk associated with employment expansion (if trade unions cooperate the risk pays off). Moreover, results change dramatically if the game is repeated. This allows for effects on the trade union's reputation. It can be shown that this, in turn, improves the likelihood of employment expansion.
Subjects: 
Monetary Policy
labour unions
reputation building
employment
EMU
JEL: 
C72
E12
E24
E58
J51
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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