This book studies the history of the single, or internal, market of the European Union since its beginnings after the Second World War until the end of 2000. The perspective is multidisciplinary and incorporates several dimensions: historical, political, economic, legal and sociological. Based on several interviews and other sources, the book is the most complete synthesis of one of the major achievements of European integration.

In particular, the author asks: What is the single European market (SEM) and how has it evolved over the years? How does the SEM work? Who have been the stakeholders of the SEM? What has been the articulation between the SEM and the other components of the European integration process? How have economists analyzed and assessed the SEM since its beginnings? What has been the power of economic thought? This fundamental and timely publication will be of interest to all those concerned with the future of every aspect of Europe.

First published in 2004. This book studies the history of the single, or internal, market of the European Union since its beginnings after the Second World War until the end of 2000. The perspective is pluridisciplinary and incorporates several dimensions: historical, political, economic; legal and sociological.