Central Bank Independence and the Legacy of the German Past

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'Simon Mee has written an outstanding book that probes into how the Bundesbank connected up a particular view of history with interventions in politics as well as economics. He has skilfully uncovered the origins of the German concern with 'stability culture'.' Harold James, Claude and Lore Kelly Professor in European Studies, and Director, Program in Contemporary European Politics and Society, Princeton University 'Simon Mee tells a compelling story of how German central bankers used particular historical lessons to advance their institutional, and perhaps even personal, interests. This is required reading for anyone interested not only in German monetary history, but in the future of Europe.' Kevin O'Rourke, Chichele Professor of Economic History, University of Oxford 'A fascinating book ... Highly recommended' I. Walter, Choice 'In this well-written and intensively researched book, the author argues that the fear of inflation and the love of central bank independence in Germany are not the natural product of memories from the 1920s, but a social construct framed in the domestic policy debates after 1945 by an active communication strategy devised by the central bank.' Eric Monnet, The Journal of Economic History 'Mee's great achievement is to have shed light on the origins of Germany's monetary stability myths.' Albrecht Ritschl, Economic History Review 'Simon Mee has written a fluent and compelling account of one the most important financial institutions in Europe which should be read by anybody with an interest in the history of modern Germany, or the role of central banks.' Sean Byrne, Zeitschrift fuer Unternehmensgeschichte vol. 66, no. 2, 2021 'This fine contribution will appeal to anyone interested in German monetary and central bank history per se, as well as to those interested in broader themes related to the postwar German economy.' Timothy W. Guinnane, EH.net (Economic History Association)