At the end of the current millennium the best description of Europe's relations with the developing countries of the South is: all change. Since 1957 the European Community has operated special policies for developing countries, many of which were formerly European colonies. However, neither the policies for Central and South America, the Lome Convention for the African, Caribbean and Pacific States, nor successive policies for the Mediterranean countries reflect a unified Europe. This study begins by investigating the prospects for a common European foreign policy. It argues that Europe has developed a complex web of external relations, but no common foreign policy. In so far as the EU seeks a special world role to overcome its image as political dwarf, the role of champion or partner of the developing South has much to recommend it. This book presents a scholarly analysis of the foreign and development policy dilemmas facing Europe today.

This book brings together a rich selection of up-to-date practical experience of EU regional policy from across Europe. It provides different perspectives on the design and operation of regional development strategies under the Structural Funds, from people closely involved in studying, managing or advising on the process at EU, national and regional levels. It therefore offers a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the structural policies than has been available hitherto. This will prove particularly useful to researchers, practitioners and students interested in European regional policies and processes.

The current political, economic and financial crises facing the EU reveal a deeper cultural, indeed spiritual, malaise - a crisis in 'the soul of Europe'. Many observers are concluding that the EU cannot be restored to health without a new appreciation of the contribution of religion to its past and future, and especially that of its hugely important but widely neglected Christian heritage, which is alive today even amidst advancing European secularization. God and the EU offers a fresh, constructive and critical understanding of Christian contributions to the origin and development of the EU from a variety of theological, national and political perspectives. It explains the Christian origins of the EU; documents the various ways in which it has been both affirmed and critiqued from diverse theological perspectives; offers expert, theologically-informed assessments of four illustrative policy areas of the EU (religion, finance, environment, science); and also reports on the place of religion in the EU, including how religious freedom is framed and how contemporary religious actors relate to EU institutions and vice versa. This book fills a major gap in the current debate about the future of the European project and will be of interest to students and scholars of religion, politics and European studies.

The shape of the world economy is changing. Globalisation and regionalism have led to the development of powerful but interdependent economic blocs. Much economic potential has shifted from the Atlantic to the Pacific area. In view of this The European Economy argues that economists need a broader, worldwide base of information if these processes and their effect on Europe are to be fully understood. Topics discussed include:
* Europe's experience of the growing trend of regionalism
* the single market
* plans for economic union
* EU enlargement
* Europe's triad rivals
* EU external trade and trade relations
* technology and innovation
* environmental issues
This fresh approach highlights the issues which will challenge European countries into the twenty-first century.

This volume examines case studies on EU countries' policy to combat climate change, examining the constraints of and opportunities for the implementation of climate change strategies in these countries. The introductory section provides an overview of the climate change problem and its potential effects, examining the roles of different greenhouse gases, the main emission sources, the likely consequences of climate change and the scope for abatement and adapation. The second part consists of six detailed case studies on diverse national strategies. The book concludes with a comparative analysis of the findings of the case studies, and suggestions for approaches to implement emission reduction strategies.

EU external actions have deep constitutional and institutional implications for EU law and practices. The EU's competences in external relations have continuously increased, including with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. As a result, the EU has become ever more active in external relations. This has in turn increased the internal constitutional and institutional effects of EU external actions. This book traces these legal effects and the broader constitutional implications, including potential integrative forces. EU external actions affect the power division between the EU and its Member States and between the different EU institutions; the unity and autonomy of the EU legal order; the role and position of Member States on the international plane; their autonomy; the relationship between national, international and EU law; and the ability of EU citizens to identify who is responsible for a particular action or policy, as well as their legitimate expectation that the EU takes action on their behalf. The chapters demonstrate the interpretation of organizational principles, such as sincere cooperation, subsidiarity, primacy and coherence, changes in the context of external relations; how the choice of an external legal basis rather than an internal legal basis affects the powers of the Union and its Member States; what power shifts happen when policies are determined in international agreements, rather than in internal decision-making; and how EU participation in international dispute settlement mechanisms affects the autonomy and legitimacy of the EU.

Explains how and why economic and social regulation at national/EU levels is rapidly replacing older forms of state intervention and also, to some extent, the redistributive policies of the welfare state. Includes case-studies.

This study investigates the extent to which action at EU level in a range of industrial, financial and service sectors has affected the substance of national policy, and the behaviour of - and relationships between - member nations. It looks at the policies pursued by the four largest member states in these areas, discussing the initiatives launched by the EU and assessing the Union's impact on national policy, compared with other internal and external factors. Cutting accross the boundaries that have traditionally separated international relations, political science, public policy and other social sciences, it uses insights from a number of perspectives to assess the impact of the EU on the ability of member states to choose and implement their goals.

Five years ago observers might have doubted that national foreign policies would continue to be of importance: it seemed inevitable that collective European positions were becoming ever more common and effective. Now the pendulum has swung back with a vengeance. The European responses to the prospect of war with Iraq in 1990-91, and to the war in the Balkans, have made what happens in the national capitals seem divisive. This work is a timely survey of the interplay between the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy and the long-established national foreign policies of the Union's member-states. The book contains a chapter on each country in the Union as well as a chapter on the United States in its role as the "13th seat at the table". There is also a chapter on the European Commission, whose role in the external relations of the Community grew steadily during the 1980s.

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What has been the impact of the EU on UK central government? This book explores the "Europeanisation" of the work of civil servants and ministers and how they engage with the EU. Drawing on fresh empirical evidence, the volume offers the first comprehensive analysis of the spreading impact of European integration across government. The study is placed in the context of political divisions over the EU but outlines the often neglected way in which the EU has transformed the business of government. It charts the process from the Macmillan government's 1961 application to join the European Communities through to the end of Blair's premiership.

The book examines the character and timing of responses across government, covering the core government departments and also those more recently affected, such as the Ministry of Defence. The authors argue that central government has organized itself efficiently to deal with the demands of EU membership despite the often controversial party political divisions over Europe. However, in placing their findings in comparative context they conclude that the effectiveness of UK governments in the EU has been less striking.

In May 2004, after bringing their legislation into accordance with EU regulations, ten more countries joined the European Union. The contributors to this volume assess the impact of this historical development on gender relations in the new and old EU member states. Instead of focusing on either western or eastern Europe, this book investigates the similarities and differences in diverse parts of Europe. Although initially limited, gender equality was part of the original framework of the European Union, an organization often more open than national governments to feminist demands, as this volume illustrates with case studies from eastern and western Europe. The enlargement process thus provides some important policy instruments for increasing equality between men and women.

"European Integration and Disintegration" deals with the principle problems and challenges confronting Europe in the aftermath of the Cold War and the collapse of European communism. While endeavouring to strike a balance between East, West, North and South, the volume is more concerned with the changing political, economic and cultural morphology of Europe, and of the relations within it, than with the formal institutional arrangements of the European Community and its successor, the European Union.
The contributors show that the study of European integration should be taken in the round, avoiding a narrow and self-centered concern with the development of the "lesser Europe" of the EC/EU. It demonstrates that integration should be seen as neither an inexorable predetermined process, nor as an automatic consequence of high levels of economic interdependence, but rather as somethng that proceeds in fits and starts and sometimes suffers reverses.

"European Integration and Disintegration" deals with the principle problems and challenges confronting Europe in the aftermath of the Cold War and the collapse of European communism. While endeavouring to strike a balance between East, West, North and South, the volume is more concerned with the changing political, economic and cultural morphology of Europe, and of the relations within it, than with the formal institutional arrangements of the European Community and its successor, the European Union.
The contributors show that the study of European integration should be taken in the round, avoiding a narrow and self-centered concern with the development of the "lesser Europe" of the EC/EU. It demonstrates that integration should be seen as neither an inexorable predetermined process, nor as an automatic consequence of high levels of economic interdependence, but rather as somethng that proceeds in fits and starts and sometimes suffers reverses.

The family is currently a controversial topic both within the UK and Europe. While demographic trends seem to suggest that family structures and attitudes within the European Union are converging and that member states are facing similar social problems, their policy responses are very different. This book examines the differences between these national responses and that of the EU as contained in the social chapter. It analyses the key concepts underlying the formulation of family policy and illustrates it with the latest data much of it hitherto unpublished.

Successive Enlargements to the European Union membership have transformed it into an economically, politically and culturally heterogeneous body with distinct vulnerabilities in its multi-level governance. This book analyses core-periphery relations to highlight the growing cleavage, and potential conflict, between the core and peripheral member-states of the Union in the face of the devastating consequences of Eurozone crisis. Taking a comparative and theoretical approach and using a variety of case studies, it examines how the crisis has both exacerbated tensions in centre-periphery relations within and outside the Eurozone, and how the European Union's economic and political status is declining globally. This text will be of key interest to students and scholars of European Union studies, European integration, political economy, public policy, and comparative politics.

The debate over European integration is a central issue in the study of contemporary Europe. This book seeks to guide the student through the most important of the integration theories and academic literature on this vital topic. The reader starts with a wide ranging introductory essay which offers an overview and analysis of the shifting terms of the debate on European integration during the post-war period. Part two provides key extracts from the seminal authors who have contributed to and fashioned this debate throughout its duration. It brings together the most important parts from the most essential and influential literature on this important topic. This reader should be of value to the growing number of students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, who are undertaking courses in European studies and European politics. It should be especially useful to those who require some knowledge of the origins and developments of this important issue at the centre of the debate over Europe.

The debate over European integration is a central issue in the study of contemporary Europe. This book seeks to guide the student through the most important of the integration theories and academic literature on this vital topic. The reader starts with a wide ranging introductory essay which offers an overview and analysis of the shifting terms of the debate on European integration during the post-war period. Part two provides key extracts from the seminal authors who have contributed to and fashioned this debate throughout its duration. It brings together the most important parts from the most essential and influential literature on this important topic. This reader should be of value to the growing number of students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, who are undertaking courses in European studies and European politics. It should be especially useful to those who require some knowledge of the origins and developments of this important issue at the centre of the debate over Europe.

This book is about presidents in parliamentary systems. One commonly recurring political debate within parliamentary systems is over whether or not the public should directly elect the head of state. Despite the importance of this topic in practical politics, political scientists have offered little empirical evidence, yet made bold assumptions about the consequences of popular elections for heads of state. A common argument is that direct elections enhance presidents' legitimacy thereby increasing their activism and encouraging authoritarian tendencies. Another popular assumption is that direct presidential elections are more heavily contested and partisan, polarizing and dividing political elites and the electorate. Proponents of direct elections argue that such elections will help decrease voter alienation and apathy. This book challenges the conventional wisdom. Using both quantitative and qualitative empirical evidence from democratic systems across the world, this book demonstrates that compared to indirect selection methods, direct elections do not yield more active and contentious presidents, do not polarize political elites or society, and do not remedy political apathy. Rather, presidential activism in both "semi-presidential" and "pure parliamentary" systems is shaped by political opportunity framework - the institutional strength and partisan composition of both parliament and government. Further, because holding the presidency provides parties with an electoral asset, direct and indirect presidential elections can be equally contentious and polarizing. Last, but not least, rather than decreasing apathy, direct election is associated with increased voter fatigue and decreased turnout in parliamentary elections by about seven percentage points.

This guide is intended for busy legal practitioners and all other professionals who are involved in the criminal justice system and who require quick reference to the provisions of the 1994 Act.

This guide is intended for busy legal practitioners and all other professionals who are involved in the criminal justice system and who require quick reference to the provisions of the 1994 Act.

This study offers a broad view of the tension between state and market in the political evolution of the European Union. Contemporary developments and issues are set within the historical context of state formation. It is argued that states are invariably formed by violent conquest, or by fusion in the face of an external threat; and that markets can emerge only when the state has been established. The histories of France, Britain, The Netherlands and Germany conform to these rules, but the European Union does not, and the text explores the reasons why this is so, and its implications. The second section of the text is based on empirical research, and underpins its theoretical and historical argument with an analysis of official documents, newspaper articles and interviews with Eurocrats form the various member states. The focus is on two case studies: the Treaty of Schengen on judicial co-operation and harmonization, and the problem of EU fraud. The consequences of the Maastricht Treaty are also discussed.

European integration is the most important single issue currently facing the European Union. Underlying most of the disputes between member states is a dilemma that has faced the countries of Western Europe since the end of the last war. Being aware of their weak national positions these states have striven for ever closer cooperation in order to improve their situation. However, by becoming more closely engaged with each other they also fear the erosion of their own national positions. Paul Kapteyn's book is concerned with this dilemma, whether or not it will be overcome, and what the consequences for Europe and the wider world will be. The process of European integration is unravelled with the help of official documents, articles in newspapers and interviews with business managers, civil servants of the European Commission and of different member states including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Two items in particular get special attention - the Treaty of Schengen on judicial cooperation and harmonization and the problem of EU fraud related to the agricultural subventions. The author also looks in detail at the consequences of the Maastricht Treaty. Paul Kapteyn places the daily quarrels and conflicts of the EU member states in context and demonstrates that they are part of an ongoing long-term process. This is a book that will enable the student more clearly to understand the complex nature of the debate over European integration and where the results of that process could lead.

This book deals with ongoing processes of European cooperation and integration, processes that may have a potential to change the political organization of Europe. Based on ideas from 'the new institutionalism' the book offers a systematic perspective on institutional change and in particular the role of institutions in relation to four central and durable issues in the study of political life. These are: (1) the mediation between unity and diversity: what ties a society together and what keeps it apart. (2) The relations between citizens and their helpers: why the democratic deficit in the European Union can not be eliminated solely by making mechanisms of direct citizens participation and representation more efficient. Needed are also institutions that make direct participation redundant because they routinely work with integrity, generating expected and desired outcomes. (3) The relation between democratic design and historical drift: To what degree democracies are able to design and reform key institutions of governance so that their structures reflect popular will, understanding and control. (4) The co-existence of old and new political orders: How elements of a new order may supplement rather than replace elements of the old order, generating a 'mixed order' based on partly inconsistent principles and rules.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This is the essential introduction to understanding the law of the European Union's institutions and policies. Jacques Ziller explores the fields of EU law and its relevant politics in precise, but accessible, language, covering the internal market, free movement of citizens, the economic and monetary union, and foreign and security policies. Key features include: Citations of critical legal texts to aid clarity for readers Analysis of the interactions and relations between the EU and member states Insights on the founding treaties of the Union and how these have progressed Discussion of both the legal and political aspects of the EU s policies and institutions. A comprehensive insight to the topic, this book will be a vital read for EU and constitutional law scholars. It also offers a clear understanding of the topic for political science and international relations scholars wishing to gain a better understanding of EU law. Practitioners from EU institutions and member states governments and NGOs will find this offers a critical analysis of the field. 'A fresh, contemporary perspective on the European Union, which sets about presenting the Union, its constitutional and legal functions in an arresting and novel manner, which should be appreciated equally by both the expert and the general reader. An invaluable contribution to the core literature on the Union.' - Diana P. Wallis, Former Vice President of the European Parliament and Past President of the European Law Institute