Is Brexit a good idea? Lessons from Norway on the advantages of EU membership

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Series Details 28.04.15
Publication Date 28/04/2015
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Norway is often held aloft as an example that the UK could follow in discussions about a potential British exit from the EU. The Norwegian experience with the EU is unique. It shows it is possible for a country to be economically associated to and, at the same time, politically separate from the EU.

One important, yet difficult, question is of course whether the 'economic-only' type of membership is superior to an 'economic-plus-political' one. The authors of this article suggest that being politically a member of the EU, as well as having an economic union, does generate significantly more economic benefits.

European integration has always explicitly been a political as well as an economic process. The choice of a customs union model instead of a free trade area, as enshrined in the Treaty of Rome, underscores the agreed direction of travel as one towards deep integration.

The substantial politically driven pay-offs from integration strongly challenges the idea that EU benefits are mostly related to economic integration. The author's research shows that costs are not related to the politics of membership. Instead, they bring with them real economic benefits.

Source Link Link to Main Source https://theconversation.com/is-brexit-a-good-idea-lessons-from-norway-on-the-advantages-of-eu-membership-40652
Related Links
ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/
Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 05.05.15: Why the UK will still be talking about a Brexit at the end of the next parliament http://bit.ly/1JmAD0z
EurActiv, 07.05.15: Norway minister: Brexit debate overlooked impact on foreign policy, security http://www.euractiv.com/sections/trade-society/norway-minister-brexit-debate-overlooked-impact-foreign-policy-security
BBC News, 01.06.15: Norway Foreign Minister Brende: UK better off in EU http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32957134
The Local.no, 22.05.15: Give us a vote: we've got most to lose if UK quits http://www.thelocal.no/20150522/give-us-a-vote-weve-got-most-to-lose-if-britain-quits

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