This book is about law, but it is not a law book. It is aimed at all interested contemporaries, lawyers and non-lawyers alike. Richly seasoned with personal memories and anecdotes, it offers unique insights into how European courts actually work. It is generally assumed that independence is part and parcel of the role and function of a judge. Nevertheless, European judges sometimes face difficulties in this regard. Owing to their being nominated by a government, their limited term of appointment, and the possibility of being reappointed or not, their judicial independence can be jeopardized. Certain governments have a track record of choosing candidates who they believe they can keep on a leash. When this happens, private parties are at risk of losing out. The EFTA Court is under even more pressure, since the EEA/EFTA states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway essentially constitute a pond with one big fish (Norway) and two minnows. For quite some time now, certain Norwegian protagonists have sought to effectively transform the EEA into a bilateral agreement with the EU. This attitude has led to political implications that have affected the author himself. The independence of the EFTA Court is also endangered by the fact that it operates alongside a large sister court, the Court of Justice of the European Union. And yet the EFTA Court has established its own line of jurisprudence and its own judicial style. It has remained faithful to specific EFTA values, such as the belief in free trade and open markets, efficiency, and a modern view of mankind. During the first 24 years of its existence, it has even had an over-proportionate influence on ECJ case law. Since EEA Single Market law is economic law, the importance of economics, an often-overlooked aspect, is also addressed. In closing, the book explores Switzerland's complicated relationship with, and Britain's impending departure from, the EU. In this regard, it argues that the EFTA pillar should be expanded into a second European structure under British leadership and with Swiss participation.

This up-to-date study of the contribution of women and men to changing European economic activity patterns, covers 15 members states. Based on the work of the European Commission's network of experts on women's employment, it draws on both national and European data sources. The book links trends in the structures of employment with new comparative data on the role of systems of welfare provision in order to explore economic activity patterns by gender. Participation patterns of women still vary widely within Europe, so much attention is paid to the institutions - both in the labour market and welfare - which help to explain these variations. The apparently contradictory tendency for women's employment and unemployment to rise is analyzed, taking into account changes in industrial/occupational structure and trends at the European, national and regional level. Many countries continue to pursue inconsistent and discriminatory labour market policies; many still base welfare policies on the nation of a single male breadwinner family. This text considers how such policies affect women as workers.

The book describes the practical process of economic growth both in developed and less developed countries, and presents a unified theory of growth from the earliest stages to the most advanced. Central to the theory is the structural transformation which is associated with the growth process. This structural transformation is used to explain the logistic pattern that economic growth has followed in the real world. Within this logistic pattern, growth performance is explained both in terms of supply factors and demand factors, and the interaction between them. The influence of inflation and income distribution on economic growth is also discussed.

Will "making a living" remain a dream for the deprived and excluded? Jobs are one of Europe's most important problems. Employment provides the basic means of distributing wealth in society, in providing for families, and ensuring pensions for the elderly. Yet unemployment, and increasingly "non-employment", continues at near record levels in the European Union. This text shows how the culture of work has been transformed in the industrialized nations of the EU. Exploring the relationship between employment change, society and economic restructuring, the shift toward "flexible" work for women in services, away from traditional industrial jobs for men, is demonstrated within three key sectors - business services, retailing and tourism. The outcome of change is discussed in terms of shifts of people and jobs from urban to rural areas. Europe must be understood in the context of the new Europe, of change in the USA and of global change. Drawing on examples from UK and European regions and USA, the author challenges long-standing assumptions about changes in economy and society and highlights the need for stronger local and European policies to reduce inequality at large and contribute

Will "making a living" remain a dream for the deprived and excluded? Jobs are one of Europe's most important problems. Employment provides the basic means of distributing wealth in society, in providing for families, and ensuring pensions for the elderly. Yet unemployment, and increasingly "non-employment", continues at near record levels in the European Union. This text shows how the culture of work has been transformed in the industrialized nations of the EU. Exploring the relationship between employment change, society and economic restructuring, the shift toward "flexible" work for women in services, away from traditional industrial jobs for men, is demonstrated within three key sectors - business services, retailing and tourism. The outcome of change is discussed in terms of shifts of people and jobs from urban to rural areas. Europe must be understood in the context of the new Europe, of change in the USA and of global change. Drawing on examples from UK and European regions and USA, the author challenges long-standing assumptions about changes in economy and society and highlights the need for stronger local and European policies to reduce inequality at large and contribute

Based on new archival research, this is the first comprehensive study of the failure of international co-operation to combat the Great Depression. The book explores the impact of protectionism, reparations and war debts, as well as the more well known disagreements on monetary issues which, together, helped to prolong the most profound economic depression of the twentieth century. The economic and diplomatic lessons drawn from this period by the major powers - particularly German intelligence as to the deep divisions in Anglo-American economic relations - also provide an important contribution to understanding the origins of the Second World War and the diplomatic and economic order created in its aftermath.

In an era of rapid and extensive economic reform, what is the appropriate role for fiscal policy? Is there a residual role of government after socialism and dirigisme? Following Macroeconomic Dimensions of Public Finance, this is the second volume of essays in honour of Vito Tanzi. It focuses on the importance of fiscal policy on the wholesale economic reforms that are sweeping the advanced, less developed and formerly communist countries. Issues analysed include: the role of fiscal and budgetary policies in the process of reform; the impact of privatization on the exchequer and the dilemmas for social policy in times of fiscal austerity; the paradox of post-socialism and post-dirigisme that an efficient and harmonic move to a decontrolled, liberal market economy involves active state intervention; and the methodological aspects relating to the proper assessment of selected fiscal policy mechanisms. This collection of essays will contribute to understanding the channels and transmission mechanisms of fiscal policies in the context of major economic reforms.

Series Information:
European Institute of Japanese Studies East Asian Economics and Business

This book brings into sharp focus the problems of development under conditions of structural adjustment and their relation to democratic change in Africa. Contributors to this volume are interested in specific countries such as Kenya, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, etc., but do bring to bear a rigorous comparative method which uses a political economy approach to the study of democracy, gender, industrialization, agriculture and the state. Its comparative approach in revisionist political economy allows for issues such as the new international division of labor to become central to the analysis of the relationship between developed and underdeveloped countries.

The state-centric approach, although useful, may have missed important undercurrents in civil society. An analysis of development through the state's lenses has predominated the study of Africa. The approach by contributors in this volume is equally interested in the state but is also concerned with non-state actors. This dynamic approach characterizes few texts on Africa. This work should attract those who are concerned with African development, specifically, and international political economy in general.

In an era of globalization, private markets are expected to dominate the distribution of goods worldwide. Yet surprisingly little empirical work is conducted on them. The sensitive and secret nature of trading information, the complexity of real markets and the lack of official data other than that on price can all cause problems. This book seeks to overcome these in examining arguably the most difficult markets of all - agricultural markets under conditions of underdevelopment. Case-studies from nine countries covering all three underdeveloped continents offer a comprehensive overview of the lessons to be learnt from field experience.

Looking at all sides of the globalization debate, Suranovic analyzes how international economic policy is made and how it has become so controversial. He offers a solution to the debate between free trade/unregulated markets and the push for greater government involvement that is consistent with both economic efficiency and social justice.

Some of the trades covered in the book are well known but most are only known to a small group or to market specialists. The ability to 'see into' actual trades offers a fascinating and unprecedented insight for those interested in the oil markets and gives the book broad appeal. The book can be used as an educational reference work by market participants and as a more general guide to how the crude oil market operates and the strategies that traders employ. There are very academic books about the theory of trading but nothing that directly covers real-life examples of innovative and winning trades, each of which illuminate a different aspect of trading or a different era in the oil markets. The presentation of each individual trade has been designed so that they can be used as case studies by business schools.

This book brings together policymakers, high-level practitioners, academics, and experts from central banks and international institutions in order to review key policy challenges for convergence in the region of central, eastern and south-eastern Europe. Contributions focus especially on inflation, growth, migration and the balance of payments.

The Bretton Woods system ensured a quarter of a century of relative stability on the world's financial markets. The quarter of a century which has followed has brought financial chaos and excessive financial volatility. Exchange Rate Chaos: 25 Years of Financial and Consumer Democracy describes and compares US and British financial history during this period. It highlights: * similarites in financial developments between the two countries * consumer democracy: Have the wishes of consumers dominated exchange rate policy? * The decline of the small investor and the hegemony of financial institutions * How the floating exchange rates are manipulated to government advantage One of the few financial histories to deal with the postwar period, this book shows how financial developments have shaped contemporary society and politics.

The biggest causes of dissatisfaction in the current analysis of China's mega trends is the lack of serious economic research effort. This has resulted in confusion and misunderstanding about the development and direction of mega trends and blind acceptance of these trends. This all leads to potentially erroneous business and policy decisions and reactions to the emergence of China. This new book examines the structural forces behind mega trends in China, refuting conventional wisdom and demystifying media and market hype. It aims to bridge the gap between the East and the West, and academic and market studies of China by examining China's macroeconomic mega trends through the lens of rigorous economic research and evidence and taking a critical approach to question and assess the evolution of these mega trends. Coverage of China's mega trends in this book is not meant to be exhaustive, as new trends will emerge over time and the existing trends will keep on evolving.

In the present text the author deals with both conventional and new approaches to trade theory and policy, treating all important research topics in international economics and clarifying their mathematical intricacies. The textbook is intended for undergraduates, graduates and researchers alike. It addresses undergraduate students with extremely clear language and illustrations, making even the most complex trade models accessible. In the appendices, graduate students and researchers will find self-contained treatments in mathematical terms. The new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest research on international trade.

This text sets out to describe the emergence of economics in the period of Japanese Enlightenment, or the first two decades of the Meiji era. At this time, there was general agreement for the need to modernize the country by abolishing all remaining feudalism, and opening up to Western economic thought. The author examines the main characteristics of economic thought at this time, in particular, the predominance of nationalism among both proponents of protectionism and free-trade.

Rich and informative case studies throughout bring this book to life for professionals and students alike. Written by one of the leading competitive experts in the world. Tackles a complex issues in a lively and engaging way.

This work explores the problems arising from dynamic information technology in its application to intellectual property rights. In a global marketplace of ideas, political boundaries and the sovereignty of the nation state seem to be disappearing because of the increasing difficulty of scrutinizing the infringement of intellectual property. That is particularly true of computer software, the focus of this book. The work analyzes the legal and political economy implications of investment in the software programming industry and the near-futility of monitoring protection of intellectual property in industry. The book begins by exploring the current state of copyright laws for computer software. It analyzes the economic theories of demand elasticities, public choice, clubs, and the concept of public goods as those theories apply to intellectual property, particularly computer software. This analysis is followed by a discussion of prevailing legislation in the United States, Europe, Japan, Asia, and China. The analysis is fortified by a comprehensive coverage of the Uruguay Round. The work concludes in favor of the free flow of information, which yields overwhelming benefits to a globally integrated market.

The West has long been ignorant of cultural and political processes in China. Today, a growing number of Westerners are becoming aware of China's real and giant potential as a player in the international business arena. As business becomes increasingly international, it is vital to understand the concrete nature of business and underlying attitudes in the world's most populated country.
This volume presents a unique view of the major facets of international business in China. It examines the workings of finance and accounting, law, management, and marketing as well as trade, foreign direct investment, and the management of foreign subsidiaries. Discussion of such functional areas is placed firmly in the context of developments in China in recent years, with special emphasis placed on implications for firms doing business in or with China. Succinct, up-to-date analysis is combined with practical guidelines and recommendations for the business person.
This highly international bookis an important step towards demystification of the workings of international business. The material presented is from leading experts in business from around the world who write from direct experience of business in China.

A flagship annual document of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, the Economic Survey reviews the developments in the Indian economy over the previous twelve months, summarizes the performance on major development programmes, and highlights the policy initiatives of the government and the prospects of the economy in the short to medium term. This document is presented to both houses of Parliament during the Budget Session, tabled a day ahead of the Union Budget. The survey is the most authoritative and updated source of data on Indias economy. It highlights a growth rate of 7.6% hailing India as a bright spot amidst a slowing global economy. Elucidating further, it identifies wide-ranging challenges and summarizes policy and performance of the government, while advocating inclusive development in key sectors with the right strategies, policies, and interventions. The focus is on ensuring macro-economic stability and prudent fiscal management through a fresh set of economic reforms and policy initiatives to counter risks of global slowdown.

The economics and history of the closing years of the 20th century may turn out to mark the era of transformation when the nation-states lose most of their ability to maneuver in economics as finance and investment become transnationalized. In the European Community and similar associations, the nation-state loses some formal powers and has to modify its policies to fit those of its neighbors and the association. An economically sustainable social democracy may be beyond the reach of any one nation, and reforms based in a single middle-sized country may be impossible.

Knowledge has in recent years become a key driver for growth of regions and nations. This volume empirically investigates the emergence of the knowledge economy in the late 20th century from a regional point of view. It first deals with the theoretical background for understanding the knowledge economy, with knowledge spillovers and development externalities. It then examines aspects of the relationship between knowledge inputs and innovative outputs in the information, computer and telecommunications sector (ICT) of the economy at the regional level. Case studies focusing on a wide variety of sectors, countries and regions finally illustrate important regional innovation issues.

"The United States of Europe" considers the post-WWII transition of Europe from a diverse and disparate continent to the economically integrated European Union of today. Initiated by the Benelux Customs Union, and later the European Coal and Steel Cooperation, the six-member European Economic Community was formed in 1957, becoming the EC in 1967, and finally the EU in 1992. This process of Europeanization reached its zenith in 1987 with the approval of the Single European act, creating a single market economy. This was followed in 1993 by the Maastricht Treaty, defining the intra-EU macro- and micro-economic parameters. The inauguration of a single common currency, the euro, on 1st January 1999 was a further innovative step, a process that has enabled the EU-27 to enjoy a competitive share of the world GDP and trade.