The Political Economy Of European Integration

This book provides an accessible introduction to diverse political economy perspectives on different aspects of European integration. It presents a critical appraisal of how scholars in the EU and US use theory to understand European integration.

The Political Economy of Integration in the European Union has gained a well-deserved reputation as the key textbook in the area of European studies, economics and politics. This new and fully revised edition comprehensively surveys recent changes - such as the deepening and widening of European integration through eastward expansion and the Maastricht and Amsterdam Treaties - whilst continuing to offer a thorough overview of integration. The core material has been revised to ensure the best possible grounding in the political economy of the EU. Jeffrey Harrop presents an accessible account of European integration, including: * free trade, the customs union and the internal market * agriculture and fisheries * industrial and technological policies * regional and social problems and policies * monetary integration * fiscal policy: taxation and the EU budget * world-wide trading links * an in-depth discussion of EU enlargement, including the proposed integration of Central and East European countries * an assessment of energy, transport and environment policies * an overall view of the progress and possible future of the European Union. The book has been widely adopted for both specialist courses in economics as well as interdisciplinary courses in European studies. Teachers who are already using the book or who would like to consider it are invited to send for a 60-day examination copy of the third edition.

The study of European integration produced much scholarly debate in the 1950s and '60s. The following two decades saw few works on European integration that included more elaborate discussions of theory and methodology; most studies in that period were fairly descriptive. In recent years there has been renewed theoretical interest in European integration. This book, however, is one of the first to discuss and apply various political-economy approaches explicitly to integration, including classical integration theory and modern public choice theories. Areas covered include common policies and decision making, as well as the external relations of the EU. The influence of the European Parliament, the concept of subsidiarity, trade policy, Economic and Monetary Union, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, relations with EFTA and Eastern European countries, as well as enlargement, are all discussed. "Audience: " Of interest to both scholars and policy makers concerned with these issues.

The study of European integration produced much scholarly debate in the 1950s and '60s. The following two decades saw few works on European integration that included more elaborate discussions of theory and methodology; most studies in that period were fairly descriptive. In recent years there has been renewed theoretical interest in European integration. This book, however, is one of the first to discuss and apply various political-economy approaches explicitly to integration, including classical integration theory and modern public choice theories. Areas covered include common policies and decision making, as well as the external relations of the EU. The influence of the European Parliament, the concept of subsidiarity, trade policy, Economic and Monetary Union, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, relations with EFTA and Eastern European countries, as well as enlargement, are all discussed. Audience: Of interest to both scholars and policy makers concerned with these issues.

The Economics and Politics of European Integration offers a comprehensive history of European integration, from the conceptualization of a United States of Europe, to the present day. The special role of the United States in this process of integration, and the expansion and evolution of the European Union, is critically analyzed. The book also thoroughly discusses the current view of the EU and the complex crises emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. While the book focuses primarily on Europe, the role of other countries is also examined. The rise of hostile enemies from Turkey, Russia, the US and China is explored, and the history and outcome of Brexit also receives unique focus. Maps are used throughout to clearly depict the enlargement process. This illuminating text will be valuable reading for students and researchers across international economics, economic history, political economy and European studies.

This volume brings together leading contributors from North America and Europe to examine a key number of aspects of the economic integration process in Europe. It focuses on macroeconomic policy coordination, financial integration and analyzing the record of the European Monetary System. The book utilizes an 'international political economy' approach, a rising discipline which combines elements of economics and political science. Thus the approach views the process of European integration as the result of interaction between national economic policies and international regimes.

The financial crisis – originated in 2008 in the United States – had a dramatic impact on the world economy. The European Union was immediately involved, but its reaction to the crisis was clearly inadequate. The misgovernment of the European economy not only put at risk the European Monetary Union, but it also caused further hindrances to the recovery of the global economy. The global financial turmoil shook deep-rooted beliefs. The doctrine of international neo-liberalism is more and more criticized. Nevertheless, the critics of neo-liberalism focus their attention on the relationship between the state and the market, as if the nation states, with their international organisations, have enough power for an effective global governance of the world economy. The model of European supranational integration, though seriously imperfect, can suggest some new way out from the crisis – even at the world level – based on a new relationship between the supranational government of the Union and the market. In this book, several academic disciplines are involved: international economics, international political economy, international law, international relations, political theory and democratic theory. Adopting such a multidisciplinary theoretical perspective, the volume tries to answer the following question: Is a more supranational Europe able to provide a better government of the EMU? Does this reform involve more European democracy?

The clearest and most up-to-date account of the achievements—and setbacks—of the European Union since 1945. Europe has been transformed since the Second World War. No longer a checkerboard of entirely sovereign states, the continent has become the largest single-market area in the world, with most of its members ceding certain economic and political powers to the central government of the European Union. This shift is the product of world-historical change, but the process is not well understood. The changes came in fits and starts. There was no single blueprint for reform; rather, the EU is the result of endless political turmoil and dazzling bureaucratic gymnastics. As Brexit demonstrates, there are occasional steps backward, too. Cutting through the complexity, Richard Pomfret presents a uniquely clear and comprehensive analysis of an incredible achievement in economic cooperation. The Economic Integration of Europe follows all the major steps in the creation of the single market since the postwar establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community. Pomfret identifies four stages of development: the creation of a customs union, the deepening of economic union with the Single Market, the years of monetary union and eastward expansion, and, finally, problems of consolidation. Throughout, he details the economic benefits, costs, and controversies associated with each step in the evolution of the EU. What lies ahead? Pomfret concludes that, for all its problems, Europe has grown more prosperous from integration and is likely to increase its power on the global stage.