I have no idea if the Euro is a good idea Ryan.
Here is the Abstract of a report by the Dutch Central Bank in 1997 discussing it.
This report concentrates on the benefits of a common European currency; in particular those of the convergence to a lower inflation level, reduction of exchange rate uncertainty, lower transaction and information costs and reduced price discrimination. Calculations with the general equilibrium model and the macroeconometric model EUROMON of the Bank show benefits from the inflation-convergence of 0,6%-point in real GDP, and from the other factors mentioned 1% to 4%-points. Total benefits in the long term could even be much higher in case where the introduction of the currency is associated with the reduction of the risk premium of investment(s)
http://ideas.repec.org/p/dnb/wormem/520.htmlYou should remember that a lot of goods move around Europe, particularly from USA & Far East into the major ports of Holland & Belgium & then on into central Europe. In addition, for the last 10-15 years the major European economies have used the former Soviet States as a "cheap labour" manufacturing area in much the same way as some US companies have used Mexico. I can certainly see the attraction of not having to recalculate everything into a local currency maybe 5 times on one of these trips...
I also know that for European companies with enterprises in more than 1 country multi-currency adds yet another complexity into planning & running the business that has nothing to do with the business itself. The business can actually generate a profit (or hide a loss) just on currency variations that are completely outside the remit of the business. I would imagine that if you talked to the Chief Financial Officer of any multi-national Corporation then a single world currency would be pretty high on his wish list !!

On the Euro collapse front I think Greece is a bit of a minor problem to the one that appears to be brewing in France at the minute.
The retirement age in France is 60 for men & women, Most of the other States it is 65 & plans are already in place to raise it to 67 over the next few years. The French system is seriously in debt & the current outlook for even the next couple of years is horrific. The French trade unions have already said that any raising of the retirement age will be met with great disruption - and no-one disrupts quite so well as the French Trade Unions enraged!!
