Bartosz Witkowski – författare

There are many different types of convergence within economics, as well as several methods to analyse each of them. This book addresses the concept of real economic convergence or the gradual levelling-off of GDP (gross domestic product) per capita rates across economies.

In addition to a detailed, holistic overview of the history and theory, the authors include a description of two modern methods of assessing the occurrence and rate of convergence, BMA-based and HMM-based, as well as the results of the empirical analysis. Readers will have access not only to the conventional econometric approach of β convergence but also to an alternative one, allowing for the convergence issue to be expressed in the context of automatic pattern recognition. This approach is universal as it can be adapted to a variety of input data. The lowest aggregation level study investigates regional convergence through the case of Polish voivodships, where convergence towards the leader is tested. On a higher level of aggregation, the authors examine the existence of GDP convergence in such groups as the EU28, North Africa and the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, Caribbean, South-East Asia, Australia and Oceania, or post-socialist countries. For each group, the real β convergence is tested using the two above-mentioned approaches. The results are widely discussed, broadly illustrated, interpreted, and compared. The analysis allows readers to draw interesting conclusions about the causes of convergence or the drivers behind divergence. The book will stimulate further research in the field, but the research was conducted from the point of view of individual countries.

There are many different types of convergence within economics, as well as several methods to analyse each of them. This book addresses the concept of real economic convergence or the gradual levelling-off of GDP (gross domestic product) per capita rates across economies.

In addition to a detailed, holistic overview of the history and theory, the authors include a description of two modern methods of assessing the occurrence and rate of convergence, BMA-based and HMM-based, as well as the results of the empirical analysis. Readers will have access not only to the conventional econometric approach of β convergence but also to an alternative one, allowing for the convergence issue to be expressed in the context of automatic pattern recognition. This approach is universal as it can be adapted to a variety of input data. The lowest aggregation level study investigates regional convergence through the case of Polish voivodships, where convergence towards the leader is tested. On a higher level of aggregation, the authors examine the existence of GDP convergence in such groups as the EU28, North Africa and the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, Caribbean, South-East Asia, Australia and Oceania, or post-socialist countries. For each group, the real β convergence is tested using the two above-mentioned approaches. The results are widely discussed, broadly illustrated, interpreted, and compared. The analysis allows readers to draw interesting conclusions about the causes of convergence or the drivers behind divergence. The book will stimulate further research in the field, but the research was conducted from the point of view of individual countries.

The Role of Crises in Shaping Financial Systems: From the Global Financial Crisis to COVID-19 underscores the role of crises as turning points for the financial sector and its interactions with the real economy. It sheds new light on the financial industry through the lens of three recent crises – the global financial crisis, the sovereign debt crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The book provides in-depth insight into the financial systems in European Economic Area countries, accentuating the role of crises in shaping the condition and development of the financial arena. The authors pay special attention to the differences between “old” and “new” Europe, i.e. countries that joined the EU in 2004 or later. It explores the implications of recent turbulences for financial institutions, financial markets, and public finance, and their relationship with the economy. The book examines low or negative interest rates, non-standard monetary policy, fiscal stimulus, dense safety nets, regulatory inflation, weak profitability of the financial sector, and the sovereign-bank nexus. Post-crisis developments are assessed, comprehensively and empirically, from both macro- and microeconomic perspectives to help readers understand the nature of policy measures and their socio-economic implications.

The authors outline their predictions for the future of financial systems, focusing on the structural changes and legacy of the COVID-19 crisis and global financial interlinkages.

The book adopts both theoretical and practical approaches to explore the key issues and, as such, will appeal to academics and students of financial economics and international finance, as well as policymakers and financial regulators.

The Role of Crises in Shaping Financial Systems: From the Global Financial Crisis to COVID-19 underscores the role of crises as turning points for the financial sector and its interactions with the real economy. It sheds new light on the financial industry through the lens of three recent crises – the global financial crisis, the sovereign debt crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The book provides in-depth insight into the financial systems in European Economic Area countries, accentuating the role of crises in shaping the condition and development of the financial arena. The authors pay special attention to the differences between “old” and “new” Europe, i.e. countries that joined the EU in 2004 or later. It explores the implications of recent turbulences for financial institutions, financial markets, and public finance, and their relationship with the economy. The book examines low or negative interest rates, non-standard monetary policy, fiscal stimulus, dense safety nets, regulatory inflation, weak profitability of the financial sector, and the sovereign-bank nexus. Post-crisis developments are assessed, comprehensively and empirically, from both macro- and microeconomic perspectives to help readers understand the nature of policy measures and their socio-economic implications.

The authors outline their predictions for the future of financial systems, focusing on the structural changes and legacy of the COVID-19 crisis and global financial interlinkages.

The book adopts both theoretical and practical approaches to explore the key issues and, as such, will appeal to academics and students of financial economics and international finance, as well as policymakers and financial regulators.