Two separate questions:

1. After German reunification and the disintegration of Communist rule in Eastern Europe, several countries sought to join the European Union (EU) and later the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Explain why you believe these countries were eager to integrate with Western Europe. Do you think policymakers in these countries believe that OCA criteria are self-fulfilling? Explain why or why not.

2. One could view the United States as a currency union of 50 states. Provide an explanation comparing and contrasting the Eurozone and the United States in terms of the optimum currency area (OCA) criteria.