Report on the state of the European Union, Vol.1

Abstract:

This work aims to raise the level of debate on the ways and means of making Europe better, and to answer the questions concerning legitimacy and democracy, enabling its population to enjoy sustainable economic growth and progress.

The book is organised in four parts. Part one addresses the issues of democracy and legitimacy. Chapter one begins with a definition of the concepts of democratic legitimacy and political representation in the context of the EU, and presents an analysis of the two main links for EU citizens with Community institutions. It also examines, through European Commission data, European citizens’ attitudes to the integration process as a whole. Chapter two explores the interaction of market and democracy in the EU, ranging over issues such as the euro, monetary policy, the stability and growth pact and the future of the constitution. Part two looks at convergence and cohesion. Chapter three examines variations on convergence and the hurdles to be encountered on the way to a single monetary policy. Chapter four studies the persistence of regional differentials and development gaps and the prospects for cohesion in the context of further enlargement.

Part three considers macroeconomic policies. Chapter five examines the monetary and fiscal policies of the EU during the delicate phase of transition towards a ‘fully fledged’ EMU. Chapter six looks at the contradictions at work within the EU’s economic policy – the stability and growth pact, budgetary constraints, CAP and the structural funds - and presents a close scrutiny of the policy and potential reforms. Part four explores issues relating to social integration. Chapter seven examines the progress made since the Lisbon European Council in March 2000, which attempted to establish new common targets for social cohesion and social protection. Chapter eight examines the ‘conflict’ arising from tax competition and social competition and considers the impact upon the ‘European social model’ as it seeks to reform/replace older models of the welfare state.

The work will interest scholars, students, researchers, policy makers engaged in European Union studies, Social sciences, economics and EU integration issues.