The Western European Union

This book investigates the institutional and operational development of the Western European Union (WEU) and its proposed enlargement. It assesses the motivations of its leading members and the progress made toward enhancing the WEU's role in the 1996-97 Intergovernmental Conference.

This full-term study of the Western European Union (WEU) brings to life the history of Europe's search for a co-operative security and defence order, from its post World War II origins to the present day. Establishing the WEU as a support organization, designed to promote the two security "ideas" of collective defence and integration through the primary organizations of Alliance and Community, this book offers a window onto the challenges faced in the development and management of NATO and the evolving EC/EU over time. As the WEU's historical journey unfolds, the frequently competing visions of the future organization of the European security space are exposed in the fluctuating nature of its own functional evolution and devolution. A hybrid organization driven by its dual support role, the constructively ambiguous and conveniently autonomous WEU was to provide a mechanism through which divergent interests could converge and inherent tensions be relieved, preventing NATO and EC/EU stagnation. This book offers fresh insight into the means by which the gradual transformation of the institutional framework of European security was enabled, and stakes the WEU's claim as a fundamental and life-long contributor to the stability of the European security system.

In the recent period the political and security infrastructure in Europe has changed dramatically, in particular after the collapse of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. This has resulted in a process of transformation not only within the former socialist countries, but also in the various political and security institutions. The fundamental change in the political landscape in Europe has also affected the Western European Union (WEU): from a more or less dormant organization it developed in the 1990s into the `defence arm' of the European Union and the European pillar of the Atlantic Alliance. The changing functions of WEU, which became clear especially after its `reactivation' in 1984 and the conclusion of the Maastricht Treaty (1992), are reflected in this volume. Apart from all major documents the book contains a short introduction on the purposes, institutions and possibilities of WEU. The texts are made accessible by an extensive subject index.

This full-term study of the Western European Union (WEU) brings to life the history of Europe’s search for a co-operative security and defence order, from its post World War II origins to the present day. Establishing the WEU as a support organization, designed to promote the two security "ideas" of collective defence and integration through the primary organizations of Alliance and Community, this book offers a window onto the challenges faced in the development and management of NATO and the evolving EC/EU over time. As the WEU’s historical journey unfolds, the frequently competing visions of the future organization of the European security space are exposed in the fluctuating nature of its own functional evolution and devolution. A hybrid organization driven by its dual support role, the constructively ambiguous and conveniently autonomous WEU was to provide a mechanism through which divergent interests could converge and inherent tensions be relieved, preventing NATO and EC/EU stagnation. This book offers fresh insight into the means by which the gradual transformation of the institutional framework of European security was enabled, and stakes the WEU’s claim as a fundamental and life-long contributor to the stability of the European security system.

'the most convenient and reliable starting point for information on public affairs' - George J. Mitchell, US Senator. Each copy comes with FREE online access to www.statesmansyearbook.com . Site license upgrades are also available for libraries who wish to network the data. New this year: a chronology of the 'credit crunch.'

Military, political and economic aspects of the movement toward integration since World War 2, analyzing over 30 major organizations such as European Economic Community, N.A.T.O., etc.

Ældre amerikansk bog om NATO og Europas fremtid.