Arguments for and against an Independent Central Bank

1.Introduction
The European Central Bank (ECB) is a part of the attempt at European Monetary Union (EMU) and is the single locus of the European System Central Banks (ESCB), which has been formed from the voluntary union of national central banks, and the ECB itself. The National banks, like the Bundesbank, have however not been abolished. They merely become operating arms of the ECB. The ECB assumes responsibility for EU monetary policies, but it is the Council of Ministers and the not the ECB which is empowered to conclude agreements on the exchange rate systems in relation to non-EU cu…