The enlargement of Europe

The enlargement of Europe

This book examines the debates surrounding the post-Cold War enlargement of the principal European organisations: the European Union, NATO, the Western European Union, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. All were founded during the Cold War but since have had to adjust to the dramatic changes that have taken place. They now face demands to enlarge their functions and enlarge their membership to admit states from Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. The extent and speed with which the process of enlargement will take place will be the most important factor in determining the future development of Europe.

This book employs a political science approach and aims to analyse all the main European organisations. It focuses on three main questions: Is there one or several visions guiding the enlargement process? Have there been separate motives for enlargement between the different organisations? And has there been a deliberate policy by Western governments to pursue a 'cost-free' expansion process?

This book will appeal to students and researchers in the fields of international relations and European studies and seeks to make a contribution towards the debate on international organisations at what is a critical time in the continent's development.