Jan L. van Zanden in The Economic History of the Netherlands 1914-1995 answers these questions. In the first four chapters the long development of the economy is analysed in detail. Central to this part of the book are the rise (and decline) of managerial enterprise; the growth (and fall) of trade unions; and the expansion (and crisis) of the welfare state. The particular Dutch features of these institutional changes are highlighted. The second part of the book deals with different periods of growth (from 1914-1929, and 1950-1973), and relative stagnation (1929-1950, and 1973-1995). Moreover, van Zanden examines the role the Netherlands played in the process of European integration, and gives an explanation of the success of the 'Dutch job machine' in the 1980s and 1990s.

This text provides a comparative study of the political cultures of the countries of Europe, both East and West. It addresses a variety of crucial questions, including: what factors help make nations and states?; what are the main characteristics of national cultures and sub-cultures?; and how do various groups view each other and Europe?;This text explores issues of homomgenization and difference, and it illustrates the dangers of a movement towards ever-closer union which does not take note of the growing populist resistance to "Europe".

At the Barcelona Conference in November 1995, the European Union and 12 southern and eastern Mediterranean states established the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP). The initiative is one of the most ambitious external projects ever undertaken by the European Union.

Adapting to European Integration describes how the political institutions in eight small member states and two non-members responded to the internal and external demands springing from the process of European integration in general and EC/EU membership in particular. The study makes a distinction between governmental/administrative adaptation, political adaptation and strategic adaptation. The chapters focus, in the first instance, on the governmental/administrative responses at the level of central government, the organisational adjustments and the changes in institutional capacity to meet the new challenges. The authors also look at the willingness of the political decision-makers to internalise the EC/EU dimension in domestic policy making and the way in which the country's own history as well as the attitude towards European integration facilitate or hinder adaptation and change.

This study explores the formation of the European Union's tax policy and asks why member states did not raise objections to it. Firstly, it examines the "Europeanization" of domestic tax policy in Italy and the UK, asking how domestic policy has changed and what is meant by "Europeanization". Secondly it puts the European Union tax policy in the wider context of tax globalization. Will the liberalization of capital movement, tax havens and the flexibility of multinationals in managing their taxable incomes wreck the European Union's fragile tax policies? In addressing these issues the study finds that knowledge is one of the most important resources in the European corporate tax process. It highlights the political problems raised by the search for rules, principles and appropriate levels of tax co-ordination and concludes that the European Union should re-consider its tax policy with new arguments.

"The Politics of Sustainable Development" analyzes how the theory of sustainable development has been related to the practice and how it has been applied within Europe at all levels of government from the EU down to the sub-national local level.
The essays included here begin with an analysis of the ambiguities inherent in sustainable development and the contestable nature of the concept. The contributors explore how far it is possible to reconcile economic growth with environmental needs, asking whether sustainable development can promote equity and development. The book breaks fresh ground in assessing the impact of deep ecological thought on sustainable development as part of a new typology of the concept.
The second section examines how sustainable development has been interpreted at EU and sub-national levels within the member states, with examples drawn from the Mediterranean and Northern European countries. Contrasting interpretations of sustainable development are examined, considering political and administrative conflicts, the influence of cultural factors, and tensions between different levels of government. The ambiguity of sustainable development has led to extensive confusion and created the need for a clearer consensus among policy-makers as to how the concept should be interpreted.

An Historical Introduction to the European Union is a chronological political history of European integration from the 1950s to the present. It also includes a contextualising survey of wider European history since the 1600s, and places unification against a background of world politics.
This clearly written introduction to the essential history, economics and politics of the European Union assumes no prior knowledge. It offers a detailed account of the Union with sections on:
* how the Union works
* basic principles of the Union
* arguments over contested practices, including agriculture
* issues of the cold war, enlargement, and the role of the United States
* language
* single European currency
With an annotated bibliography, chronology and guide to the institutions of the European Union, An Historical Introduction to the European Union incorporates the most recent research and detailed treatment of the policies of the European Union.


eBook available with sample pages: 0203448731

This major new book is the most up-to-date general survey of economic and political integration in the European Union. Recent key developments deriving from the Maastricht Treaty and the Single European Act are highlighted including the completion of the Single Market, the prospects for EMU, the Community budget, and the reform of the CAP. The main ingredients of EMU are discussed and the Maastricht monetary plan is critically explained. This is followed by an analysis of the Community budget to 1999 and the related reform of the CAP. Professor Swann also surveys the two other treaty pillars - Co-operation on Justice and Home Affairs and the development of Common Foreign and Security Policy. European Economic Integration concludes by reviewing the factors which have stimulated the process towards an even closer union and identifying the challenges which still face the Union as it moves towards the second millennium.

This text provides a comparative study of the political cultures of the countries of Europe, both East and West. It addresses a variety of crucial questions, including: what factors help make nations and states?; what are the main characteristics of national cultures and sub-cultures?; and how do various groups view each other and Europe?;This text explores issues of homomgenization and difference, and it illustrates the dangers of a movement towards ever-closer union which does not take note of the growing populist resistance to "Europe".

Can the European Union continue to grow and also converge? Is uniformity within the union desirable? The European Union has grown into a supranational entity formed from a mosaic of diverse regions. Its enlargement to encompass a number of Central European countries seems only a matter of time. With the EU's political and economic importance growing globally, the Union's influence is increasingly being felt within its member states. A geography is emerging with pressures to reduce regional disparities by a process of convergence. This volume provides a comprehensive introduction to the European Union, its identity, problems and prospects. Focusing on the key issues of integration and enlargement, the authors examine the major economic, social, environmental and political aspects of the EU, both in terms of its individual regions and as a system of interdependent states that form the single EU entity. Assessment of controversial issues is frank: problems of unemployment, social stress, ageing and the place of women are covered, prompting readers to form their own interpretations.

Can the European Union continue to grow and also converge? Is uniformity within the union desirable? This text provides a comprehensive introduction to the European Union, its identity, problems and prospects. Focusing on the issues of integration and enlargement, the authors examine the major economic, social, environmental and political aspects of the EU, both in terms of its individual regions and as a system of interdependent states that form the single EU entity. Assessment of controversial issues is frank: problems of unemployment, social stress, ageing and the place of women are covered objectively, prompting readers to form their own interpretations. This completely revised and expanded 2nd edition includes new illustrations, data and analysis and coverage of new members Austria, Finland and Sweden.

The essays collected here outline a number of factors which made the EC too young to be able to assimilate Britain's important interests, and the British over-optimistic in their approach to negotiations with the Community. The role of conflict over Western strategy and European political union in the breakdown of the negotiations is re-assessed, and the negotiations over agriculture and the Commonwealth are revealed in an entirely new light.

The essays collected here outline a number of factors which made the EC too young to be able to assimilate Britain's important interests, and the British over-optimistic in their approach to negotiations with the Community. The role of conflict over Western strategy and European political union in the breakdown of the negotiations is re-assessed, and the negotiations over agriculture and the Commonwealth are revealed in an entirely new light.

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.

At the end of the current millenium 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.
The European Union and the South 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 an up-to-date, scholarly analysis of the foreign and development policy dilemmas facing Europe today. It will be essential reading for students of European external relations, development policy and international affairs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of the most notable findings in contemporary behavior genetics is that children growing up in the same family are not very comparable. Findings suggest that in order to understand individual differences between siblings it is necessary to examine not only the shared experiences but also the differences in experiences of children growing up in the same family. In the past decade a group of investigators has begun to examine the contributions of genetics, and both shared and nonshared environment to development. As with many new research endeavors, this has proven to be a difficult task with much controversy and disagreement not only about the most appropriate models and methods of analysis to be used, but also about the interpretation of findings. Written by some of the foremost scholars working in the area on nonshared environment, the papers in this book present their perspectives, concerns, strategies and research findings dealing with the impact of nonshared environment on individual differences in the development of siblings. This volume will have heuristic value in stimulating researchers to think in new ways about the interactions between heredity, shared and nonshared environment and the challenges in identifying their contributions to sibling differences. These papers should raise new questions about how to examine the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to development, with consideration given to the findings of this study of sibling differences and nonshared environment. Further, these papers may encourage a growing trend to integrate genetic and environmental perspectives in studies of development.

While the EU has championed "effective multilateralism" and experienced a dramatic internal reform process to improve its performance in external relations, broader multilateral processes have also undergone dramatic change. This Handbook addresses an increasingly contested issue of profound political importance: Europe's presence in multilateral institutions. It assesses both the evolving role of Europe in international institutions, and the transformations in international institutions themselves. Acknowledging that the category of international institutions comprises a highly diverse field of multilateral engagements, this Handbook presents a state of the art approach that analyzes both what we have learned about the EU and international institutions as well as identifying promising avenues for further research. The Handbook is divided into six parts: Part I examines the EU's diplomatic and legal personality in international relations that constitutes the internal foundation for the EU's engagement with international institutions. Part II assesses how EU multilateralism intersects with other international institutions and provides a means to assess the performance of international institutions as well as the EU itself in multilateral processes. Part III focuses on the EU's participation with key institutions within the general UN system, such as the UN General Assembly and Security Council as well as specific policy domains such as human rights across UN institutions. Part IV focuses on EU relations with wide range of international organizations in a variety of fields, from organizations in economic and security realms to environmental institutions and specialized agencies. Part V focuses on the EU's engagement in a broad spectrum of issue-specific international agreements and international regimes, addressing issues such as non-proliferation of WMDs, climate change, information technology, and the emerging Gx-system (G7, G8, G20 etc). Part VI examines broader contextual factors that influence the relationship between the EU and international institutions, including the evolution of multilateralism, the trans-Atlantic relationship, global norms and the emergence of multipolarity. This comprehensive volume brings together scholars and practitioners to summarize and synthesize existing knowledge in the field. It will be of great interest to students and scholars of European politics, the EU's external relations, international relations, international organizations and international political economy.

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.

eBook available with sample pages: HB:0415122228

Thoroughly updated, this extensive reference source provides in-depth information on all matters relating to the European Union (EU): the events surrounding the June 2016 referendum vote in the United Kingdom in favour of a departure from the EU are covered in depth, including discussion and analysis of the potential implications for the future of the EU; the EU's migration policy is evaluated, together with the EU's legal and social frameworks; enlargement policy and environmental issues are discussed; and external relations and current security challenges are addressed. Key Features: an up-to date chronology of the EU from 1947 to present an A-Z section contains definitions and explanations of organizations, acronyms and terms, and articles on each member state. Comprising over 1,000 entries, terms listed include: Asylum policy; Brexit; Europol; Erasmus+; the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund; and the European System of Financial Supervision introductory articles written by experts on the EU provide an overview of the policies and activities of the EU. a directory of principal names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and internet addresses of all major European Union institutions and their official bodies. This information is supplemented by summaries of important treaties, and details of EU-level trade and professional associations. Users will also find details of MEPs and the political groups and national parties contributing to the European Parliament elected in 2014 a statistical survey gives tables covering: population, employment, agriculture, energy and mining, industry, the environment, finance, trade, transport and communications, tourism, health and welfare, and education across the EU This title will prove valuable to academic and public libraries, politicians and government agencies and the media, as well as to all those in need of accurate and reliable information on the European Union.