Otmar Issing ; with a commentary by Geoffrey E. Wood.
London :
Institute of Economic Affairs,
2002.
55 pages ;
20 cm.
Occasional paper,
125
0073-909X ;
Includes bibliographical references.
"Central bank independence is now in vogue because of previous experience of politicisation of monetary policy. But can the central bankers be trusted more than the politicians?" "In this Occasional Paper, Professor Otmar Issing, the leading monetary economist and one of Europe's most influential central bankers, argues that price stability is a 'common good' and that it is better in the hands of an independent central bank with a clear price stability mandate. The independent central bank with such a mandate in effect represents a set of rules that impose constraints on the abuse of power either by politicians or by central bankers. Central bankers operate best in institutions that have a clear objective and are held accountable to the public."--BOOK JACKET.