Germany is clearly the dominant economic force in Europe. It occupies the pivotal position of being at the centre of both the EC and of attempts to rebuild the economies of East Central Europe. The German Economy traces the various aspects of German policy and growth, concentrating in particular on the last two decades. These include: the German economy in perspective the regional dimension fiscal policy monetary policy social policy the labour market banking and finance industry, trade and economic policy. In The German Economy Eric Owen Smith has produced the only comprehensive account of the contemporary German economy currently available in English.