The State of the European Union

Risks, Reform, Resistance, and Revival

Michael Smith editor Maria Green Cowles editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

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The State of the European Union cover

With the introduction of a single currency in 1999 and the negotiations for the fifth enlargement in 2000, the European Union is at a major crossroads in its history. While the adoption of EMU and the entrance of new member states hold the promise of creating an 'ever close union', they must take place in a rather turbulent environment. Exogenous shocks such as the Asian financial crisis, the Russian upheaval, and new Balkan problems threaten to derail advances in monetary affairs and common foreign and security policy. Endogenous resistance to further European policy reform in areas such as the budget, CAP, and structural funds has strengthened, as suggested by the meagre advances in the Amsterdam Treaty. Indeed, domestic developments, including changes in the political composition of leading governments and growing unemployment, pose further challenges to EU reforms. With contributions from leading scholars, the book examines the European Union in a theoretically informed, empirically-grounded manner. The book begins by exploring the evolving nature of the European polity and its capacity for change. The second section on monetary union examines the conditions under which EMU will challenge integration, the viability of the European Central Bank, as well as the ability of European citizens to adjust to the single currency. The third section investigates why member states agreed to the Eastern enlargement and what internal and external challenges face the Union as a result. The fourth section highlights the institutional upheavals underway in the major European institutions, as well as Europeans support of and identify with the European polity. The final section of the book highlights the extent to which the European Union is able to govern in key policy areas - trade, environment, common foreign and security policy, and development - given the state of the European Union today. This is the fifth volume in the biannual series State of the European Union produced under the auspices of the American European Community Studies Association (ECSA)

Following an introduction the papers are arranged in five sections dealing with conceptualising the EU; monetary union; enlargement; institutions and identities; and policy making. Each area is treated in considerable detail and the book should be of interest to a wide audience, particularly in the UK where joining the EMU is still a matter of considerable debate. * Aslib Book Guide, vol. 66, no.3 *

ISBN: 9780198297529

Dimensions: 241mm x 164mm x 30mm

Weight: 822g

490 pages