Federalism and European Union: The building of Europe, 1950-2000

Book abstract:

The phrase 'federal Europe' frequently provokes strong reactions among the EU Member States. Many groups in countries such as the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden fear that a federal Europe would mean the end of the nation state. This book seeks to clarify the nature and meaning of a federal Europe and suggests that a federal Europe and the nation state are in fact perfectly compatible.

The book begins by looking at the evolution of both federal and European ideas dating back to the sixteenth century. This is followed by an analysis of the theoretical discourse of federalism and federation in chapter two. Over the course of the next four chapters the book investigates and examines federal ideas, influences and strategies as they appear in the political history of European integration from 1950 up to 2000, looking specifically at the Single European Act and the treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam. The final two chapters examine the frequent labelling of the EU as a confederation and look at what role federalism may play in the future development of European Union.

This book will be useful for those interested in the both the history and theoretical aspects of post-war European integration.

Michael Burgess is Director of the Centre for European Union Studies and holder of a Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration at the University of Hull.