Europe's economy is under strain due to lagging productivity growth, population ageing, the difficulties of adjustment in an enlarged European Union, and the challenges of globalization. In comparison with America, rates of growth of GDP per capita and labour productivity growth are anaemic, raising questions about the viability of a distinct European model. From observations like these, conclusions can be drawn that Europe will feel irresistible pressure to allow its policies and institutions to converge toward those of the United States. But how far and how fast are uncertain. Edited by internationally renowned authors in the field and packed with articles by an impressive array of international contributors, this book examines the American and European economies; drawing comparisons between them. Bringing together specialists from both sides of the Atlantic, including Lindert, DeLong and Buti to analyze the current state of both economies and their responses to the changing global environment, the book deals with competitiveness on the one hand and the relationship between institutions and markets on the other. This volume is particularly relevant to postgraduate and postdoctoral students undertaking research in all areas of European integration and international political economy, while also being appropriate for a professional audience.

Europe's economy is under strain due to lagging productivity growth, population ageing, the difficulties of adjustment in an enlarged European Union, and the challenges of globalization. In comparison with America, rates of growth of GDP per capita and labour productivity growth are anaemic, raising questions about the viability of a distinct European model. From observations like these, conclusions can be drawn that Europe will feel irresistible pressure to allow its policies and institutions to converge toward those of the United States. But how far and how fast are uncertain. Edited by internationally renowned authors in the field and packed with articles by an impressive array of international contributors, this book examines the American and European economies; drawing comparisons between them. Bringing together specialists from both sides of the Atlantic, including Lindert, DeLong and Buti to analyze the current state of both economies and their responses to the changing global environment, the book deals with competitiveness on the one hand and the relationship between institutions and markets on the other. This volume is particularly relevant to postgraduate and postdoctoral students undertaking research in all areas of European integration and international political economy, while also being appropriate for a professional audience.

This volume explores relations between socialist planned economies of Central and East European countries and capitalist market economies of neutral states in Europe during the Cold War. It focuses on the significant role of neutral countries as path-breakers in building East-West contacts.

The Marshall Plan is considered the most successful foreign aid program in American history. It played a crucial role in helping to rebuild Western Europe after World War II, reintegrate West Germany into the West, maintain American interest in Europei1/2s future, contain communism, and launch American consumer democracy and improving the standard of living in Europe. It also finalized the progressing division of Europe into a democratic/capitalist West and communist East.

This volume focuses on "selling the Marshall Plan" both to sceptical Americans and Europeans in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The Economic Cooperation Administration in Paris administered the distribution of American Marshall Aid. It also directed the propaganda effort: 250 films were produced (newsreels, documentaries, and feature films). Travelling train exhibits were organized that were shown all over Europe and by ship on Greek islands; and busses travelled to the remotest Austrian Alpine valleys to show films about how Marshall Plan aid increased Austrian economic productivity.