A Transfer Mechanism for a Monetary Union

Abstract

We show in a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium framework that the introduction of a common currency by a group of countries with only partially integrated goods markets, incomplete ?nancial markets and no labor migration across member states, signi?cantly increases volatility of consumption and employment in the face of asymmetric shocks. We propose a simple transfer mechanism between member countries of the union that reduces this volatility. Further- more, we show that this mechanism is more e¢ cient than anticyclical policies at the national level in terms of a better stabilization for the same budgetary e¤ects for households while in the long run deeper integration of goods markets could reduce volatility signi?cantly. Re- garding its implementation, we show that the centralized provision of public goods and services at the level of the monetary union implies cross-country transfers comparable to the scheme under study.