Convergence After Divergence Regional Growth In Europe

Written by an economist who is spezialized in growth theory and also an expert on European Integration, the book looks at economic growth of EU regions from a theoretical as well as an empirical perspective. It settles the issue in the context of EU integration and the EU ́s cohesion problem and provides systematic, analytical growth theory arguments with respect to EU regional development. This approach differs from the common view of the literature, which stresses regional development theories and regional policies when looking at EU regional problems. The volume provides unique, rich empirical evidence of European regional problems and growth patterns and investigates growth and convergence of EU regions with the latest econometric panel data methods. It offers new insights both for growth researchers and regional economists interested in developments in the European Union.

Recoge : 1. Introductory session. - 2. Past convergence within the European Union. - 3. Accesion countries : achievements in real convergence. - 4. Accesion countries : how to balance real and nominal convergence challenges for monetary and exchange rate policy. - 5. Does the financial sector contribute to real growth? - 6. Is there somebody left out in the cold? prospects of CEE countries other than current accesion countries. - 7. Policy challenges within the (enlarged) EU : how to foster economic convergence?

The introduction of the single currency in the European economic space constitutes without doubt the most visible step towards monetary and economic integration in the EU. Those who boosted the birth of the Common Market in 1957 dreamt that this would one day come about as a logical consequence of the integration process. However, things have gone much more slowly than possibly imagined, although if taken in an adequate historic perspective, it is undeniable that the agreements that have led to European Monetary Union signify a really formidable jump in the process of political and economic integration in Europe. This is something many doubted would ever happen, but which is already a reality, although still in need of a period of consolidation. The most general economic consequences of the EMU have already been analysed in considerable depth. Proof of this is the literature already available. In general, there is coincidence in affirming that the balance of the results expected is clearly positive. Firstly, as a result of the anticipated gains in efficiency, a consequence of reduction of transaction costs associated to the previous existence of different currencies and of the elimination of exchange rate uncertainties.

This title was first published in 2003. This work intends to make an important and interesting contribution to the wider debate on European regional development. It looks beyond the confines of the EU proper and combines interesting and relevant case studies from a broader pan-European perspective. Also, the approaches adopted are informed by a variety of theoretical positions. By addressing the changing roles of SMEs in different regions of Eastern Europe, readers should gain insights into the different dimensions of SME development and the link between SMEs and regional growth.

European Regional Growth is the result of three major influences. First, the ongoing integration of the European regional economies and the need to understand what this means for European economic and social cohesion. Second, the development of geo-economic theories. Third, the development of techniques of spatial data analysis, simulation, data visualization and spatial econometrics. The outcome is a collection of chapters that apply these methods, motivated by a variety of theoretical positions. The book provides powerful and detailed analyses of the causes of income, productivity and employment variations across Europe's regions, and insights into their future prospects.

Wirtschaftskraft, Einkommen und Beschäftigung klaffen innerhalb der Europäischen Union (EU) weit auseinander - sowohl innerhalb als auch zwischen den Mitgliedsstaaten. Der Abbau dieses Gefälles ist das erklärte politische Ziel auf europäischer wie nationaler Ebene. Obwohl sich die ökonomische Regionalforschung dieses Themas angenommen hat, liegen bislang kaum gesicherte Erkenntnisse darüber vor, inwieweit die Osterweiterung und die ökonomische Integration der EU die Entwicklung der regionalen Disparitäten beeinflussen. Zudem ist weitgehend ungeklärt, inwiefern und warum sich die Beschäftigungsentwicklung in verschiedenen Qualifikationsniveaus regional unterscheidet. Gestützt auf eine breite Datenbasis und ökonometrische Analysen leistet Friso Schlittes Buch einen wichtigen Beitrag, um diese Forschungslücken zu schließen. Publikationssprache: Englisch