Over the past five years Europe has continued its growth towards closer financial ties and economic integration. Through specific policies on subfields including agriculture, trade, competition, banking and economic governance the economic fortunes of individual European countries are more closely tied than ever. The aim of this comprehensive collection is to provide an overview of these policy developments for those who wish to gain an understanding of European economic integration without assuming prior knowledge of economics or using technical terms but rather is written in an accessible style and geared towards a wider-readership. On top of this, the volume also deals with many of the current issues that the European economic integration is faced with such as the global financial economic and sovereign debt crisis.

An interdisciplinary political economy perspective on globalization, discussing its characteristics, its problems for developing countries, and the relationship between globalization and European integration. A book not to be missed by anyone with an interest in globalization.

This book investigates the perceptions of political actors towards the creation of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in Europe. The research is largely based on personal interviews conducted with key informants in central banks, finance ministries, employers' organizations and trade unions in Britain, France and Germany. It examines why actors perceived EMU to serve or frustrate their interests. It concludes that actors favoured EMU for a variety of reasons. The book contributes to the literature of European integration and incorporates economic, political and historical facts.

By examining the various policy subfields of European economic integration such as agriculture, trade, banking, economic governance and sustainability this book offers a comprehensive and wide-ranging analysis of developments that have taken place in the past five years aimed at exploring the path of economic integration in Europe.

Contributing to the literature on European integration, this book investigates the perceptions of political actors towards the creation of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in Europe. The research is largely based on personal interviews conducted with key informants in central banks, finance ministries, employers' organizations, and trade unions in Britain, France, and Germany. It examines why actors perceived EMU to serve or frustrate their interests, concluding that actors favored the EMU for a variety of reasons.