AbstractRecent international financial crises in emerging markets have impressively made clear that there is still a lack of knowledge about the causes and consequences of financial turmoil. In particular, questions of why crises emerge, how they are transmitted, how they can be predicted and prevented and how they can be managed once they have occurred, are not adequately answered. Both research in economics and economic policy now focus on all aspects of international financial crises. This paper first provides an overview about the state of economic theory explaining financial and monetary crises. The theoretical survey is followed by a discussion of the appropriate economic policy reaction. This discussion includes the role of international organisations, exchange rate policy, costs and benefits of capital controls as well as the need for a prudential banking regulation.