The Changing Face of Central Banking
Evolutionary Trends since World War II

This book explores how central banks have emerged as the key players in national and international policy making.

Pierre L. Siklos (Author)

9780521780254, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 November 2002

372 pages, 30 b/w illus. 38 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm, 0.72 kg

'Siklos displays expert knowledge about the practice of central Banking, for instance by highlighting a huge amount of comparative examples, which makes the book very lively to read. He deserves complements for creating an interesting, comprehensive (but of an academic standard) and useful book suited for a broad audience interested in central banking; from researchers and policy makers at central Banks to students and academics at universities.' De Economist

Central banks have emerged as the key players in national and international policy making. This book explores their evolution since World War II in 20 industrial countries. The study considers the mix of economic, political and institutional forces that have affected central bank behaviour and its relationship with government. The analysis reconciles vastly different views about the role of central banks in the making of economic policies. One finding is that monetary policy is an evolutionary process.

List of figures
List of tables
Preface
1. The institutional make-up and evolution of central bank-government relations: an introduction
2. Legislation alone does not a central bank make: political structure, governance and reputation in monetary policy
3. Central bank personalities and monetary policy performance
4. Econometric analysis of central bank behavior: an evolutionary approach
5. Contrasting quantitative and qualitative assessments of central bank behavior and the evolution of monetary policies
6. Accountability, disclosure and conflict resolution
7. Inflation targets versus other inflation control measures: two sides of the same coin?
8. The changing face of central banking: epilogue
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Finance [KFF], Economic history [KCZ], Political economy [KCP], International finance [KCLF]