Towards understanding attitudes and judgement of experts on Economic and Monetary Union

This paper examines expert judgements and attitudes regarding Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and fiscal solidarity in the European Union. Our analysis is based on a survey that circulated between April-August 2021 and was completed by 348 experts who work in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal. We surveyed academics, researchers at research institutes and think tanks, and civil servants with expertise in macroeconomic policy, public finance and or EMU. Expert opinions including their vision of what would constitute an optimal EMU architecture depend on a number of factors, including the country in which experts work, their perceived benefits of EMU of respondents, as well as their sense of connection with the EU and their political preferences. Expert judgements regarding, for example the effect of EMU on economic growth, interest rates, etc, are influenced by these factors as well. We also find some evidence that experts understand core concepts related to EMU governance and fiscal solidarity differently from one another. Experts on EMU may be influenced by cultural and discursive practices, for example through their education and employment.