Current economic issues in EU integration

Abstract:

This work examines selected important topics on issues relating to current and future European Union developments. It is organised into four parts.

Following an introduction, the first part deals with Agriculture, Competition and Industry. The Common Agricultural Policy is the focus of chapter two, which seeks to explain why the CAP continues to be so heavily subsidised despite the welter of economic arguments to the contrary, then evaluates the consequences of the political process by reviewing the resource cost estimates of the CAP. Chapter three examines the rationale for the strong competition policy in the SEM (Single European Market) with particular attention given to car manufacturers. Chapter four examines the changing nature of industrial activity and regulation, and the importance of state and EU encouragement and support for science and technology.

Part two considers Economic and Monetary Union. Chapter five presents comparison of the independence attributed to the ECB (European Central Bank) with that enjoyed by national central banks of Member States. Chapter six explores EMU (European Monetary Union) in order to assess the benefits, real or imagined, that arise for the EU as a whole.

Part three looks at Regional Convergence and Enlargement. Chapter seven examines the growth of sub-national regional structures and the channels developed for regional inputs and outputs, particularly through the Structural Funds. Chapter eight considers the enlargement process and the thorny problem of agricultural support that besets much of EU debate and has special importance in the expansion to the more ruralised areas of the Central and Eastern European countries.

Part four explores Alternative Futures for the UK in Europe given the imminent rise of majority voting and emergence of a two-speed integration process. Chapter nine looks at alternatives to further integration and chapter ten examines the ‘unimaginable’ proposition that the UK moves to membership of NAFTA as an alternative to membership of the EU.

The book will interest scholars and students engaged in economics, European studies, and political science.