Inflation Aversion in the European Union: Exploring the Myth of a North-South Divide
Edinburgh School of Law Research Paper No. 2015/34
Europa Working Paper No 2015/06
40 Pages Posted: 30 Oct 2015
Date Written: October 28, 2015
Abstract
Our study seeks to prove that German Stability Culture is a myth. The concept is a core legitimizing element of economic policy discourse in Germany and used regularly to juxtapose Germany and northern Europe and the euro area periphery. Using Eurobarometer surveys we construct a measurement for Stability Culture which is based on the priority assigned to the fight against inflation. Our empirical analysis covers the 2002 to 2010 timespan and includes 27 European Union Member States. Our results show that the distinction between northern states with an allegedly strong and southern states with an allegedly weak Stability Culture is a myth. Controlling for actual inflation, we find that the northern Member States with an allegedly high Stability Culture are less concerned with price stability than the rest of the EU.
Keywords: Culture, Europe, Germany, socio-economics
JEL Classification: Z1
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation