The political economy of the European Union. Institutions, policy and economic growth

Book abstract:

This book provides an account of the EU's (European Union) political economy. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, Gert Tinggaard Svendsen explains the areas in which the current system is vulnerable and flawed, as with the case of destructive lobbyism. He also discusses both the fundamentals and future of economic policy, the EU institutional framework and its impact on policies and economics, as well as specific issues like CAP (the Common Agricultural Policy), international climate negotiations, funds, enlargements, problems of security, wind energy and greenhouse gas emissions.

The work is separated into six parts, with an introduction making up the first. Part two, on the specific question of political economy, deals with material like the Public Choice School, the Collective Good Analysis, economic growth and social capital. Part three, on the EU itself, explores the Rome Treaty, EU institutions, lobbyism, corruption and social capital investment, and part four, on interest group theory and environmental regulation, examines issues such as the green paper and directive proposal, industrial rent-seeking and bureaucratic rent-seeking. Part five, on climate negotiations and wind energy, looks at the Kyoto Agreement, the so-called Hague Failure, the participation of the US and developments in wind turbine technology, while part six offers conclusions.

The book is intended for academics, economists, political scientists, decision-makers, and those working within the social sciences concerned with political economy.