John Grahl investigates some key flaws in the monetary union and demonstrates how, despite these political and economic weaknesses being emphasized during a long debate, European political elites appear to have imposed the formulae of Maastricht in an essentially unchanged form. Three problems are highlighted: the lack of democratic legitimacy for European monetary policy, John Grahl investigates some key flaws in the monetary union and demonstrates how, despite these political and economic weaknesses being emphasized during a long debate, European political elites appear to have imposed the formulae of Maastricht in an essentially unchanged form. Three problems are highlighted: the lack of democratic legitimacy for European monetary policy, the decidedly restrictive nature of the macro-economic regime that has been installed, and the absence of adequate Europe-wide mechanisms to ensure financial stability. These issues are examined with a specific focus on the transformations in European money and finance which have taken place since the launch of the euro.