The path to European defence

European State or not, the European Union is steadfastly moving towards closer integration on many policies which have previously been the preserve of nation states. Defence of the nation is at the core of responsibility which citizens might expect of their leaders. Will that responsibility be more efficiently and effectively discharged within an overall European context? Is collaboration between Member States a strengthening of mutual safety or only a surrender of national sovereignty? These are but two of the many questions addressed by this work on European defence, which is the next large project on the way to European unification.

The work is organised in four parts. Part one contains chapters which address the current status and explore the major deficits. Such issues as the need for a Common European Defence, Common Foreign and Security Policy and European Security and Defence Policy are featured along with the industrial aspects of a European Defence Policy, and the Security Research aspects and prospects are also featured. Part two looks at a New Environment with chapters ranging over such issues as European Security after Iraq, Contribution of the European Parliament, External Security in the 21st century, Bosnia-Herzegovinia lessons learned, Economic Security challenge to Europe by terrorism and current and future crisis management capabilities. Part three examines institutional questions through a spectrum of political viewpoints addressing European Defence Policy, Common Foreign and Security Policy, Europe's Arms Export Policies, Neutrality and Democratic Accountability of the Military in the United States. Part four explores the industrial aspects of European Defence and features articles on Cross Border Cooperation in Europe, Secret Services contribution to European Defence, Intelligence Superiority and Command Capability, Defence Research and Technology, Operational Requirements and Industrial Competitiveness and a Value for Money item More Euros for European Security and Defence Policy.

The book will interest scholars, students, policy researchers, politicians and practitioners in the fields of defence studies and European integration.

Karl von Wogau has been a Member of the European Parliament since 1979.

Note that a new book with the same title and editor has been published by John Harper Publishing in 2009.