This title was first published in 2001. As economic integration touches ever more areas of society, more and more people are confronted by the bewildering complexity of the functioning of the European Union. Rather than merely focusing on the description of EU policies, this study of the economics of European integration seeks to: select the most relevant aspects and developments; place the wide variety of issues in a robust conceptual structure; integrate theoretical developments with the results of empirical research and of policy analysis; explain the logic of the dynamic processes; describe the structural features of the European economy; highlight the response of private companies to changes in the regulatory environment; depict the historical developments so as to give a sound basis for the understanding of the present situation and the likely future development; and set the European developments in the light of global developments. In practice Western Europe is the focus of major parts of this book.

To combat economic disparity and low growth, the European Union has established an integrated policy system that pursues increased cohesion and smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth. This integrated approach is realized through thousands of development projects and takes up more than a third of the total budget of the European Union. Despite its significance, the policy is subject to many misunderstandings and there is a lot of controversy surrounding its effectiveness. Cohesion and Growth seeks to bring clarity to these issues. It presents both the theoretical and practical aspects of EU intervention, a critical contribution to the understanding of the anatomy of the problems and the way to apply effective solutions to them, and a systematic view of the issues at each of the subsequent stages of the whole policy cycle. Offering an authoritative analysis of the problems and debates involved, this book is essential reading for students, policy makers, project promoters and researchers concerned with this key area of European policy making.

To combat economic disparity and low growth, the European Union has established an integrated policy system that pursues increased cohesion and smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth. This integrated approach is realized through thousands of development projects and takes up more than a third of the total budget of the European Union. Despite its significance, the policy is subject to many misunderstandings and there is a lot of controversy surrounding its effectiveness. Cohesion and Growth seeks to bring clarity to these issues. It presents both the theoretical and practical aspects of EU intervention, a critical contribution to the understanding of the anatomy of the problems and the way to apply effective solutions to them, and a systematic view of the issues at each of the subsequent stages of the whole policy cycle. Offering an authoritative analysis of the problems and debates involved, this book is essential reading for students, policy makers, project promoters and researchers concerned with this key area of European policy making.

The major problems the world faces have increased since the turn of the millennium. Recurrent storms on the financial markets have ravaged many countries, poverty is still widespread, notwithstanding decades of massive development aid, the environment remains in acute jeopardy and the major world institutions have often reached an impasse in attempting to combat these difficulties. The issues ask for rapid and consistent action by policy makers but the interests of international organizations, such as the WTO, World Bank and Kyoto protocol, have become too diversified to come to multilateral agreements setting uniform rules and asking for strict compliance with these rules. Alternative solutions are sought and development in the future is likely to be characterized by fuzzy and complex interactions between flexible groups of actors seeking agreements on the solutions for the most pressing new problems. Progress will become rather unpredictable and will depend on time, place and subject specific cases as well as convergence of interests. This need not be only negative. Flexible solutions have the advantage that they can be easily adapted in case the conditions change. In this new book, the follow up to his Global Economic Institutions, Willem Molle maps out the unfolding of this process.

The only comprehensive text available for advanced study and professional reference, this book brings much needed clarity to both the theoretical and practical aspects of EU intervention. Integrating both theoretical and practical research in a clear and accessible structure, covering economic, social and territorial issues European Cohesion Policy provides a systematic view of the various stages of the whole policy cycle, looking in detail at: the evolution of the problems; the design of the policy system; the implementation in practice; and the evaluation of effects . An authoritative analysis of the problems and debates involved, European Cohesion Policy is essential reading for students, policy makers, development workers and researchers working in all aspects of European policy.

The only comprehensive text available for advanced study and professional reference, this book brings much needed clarity to both the theoretical and practical aspects of EU intervention.

Integrating both theoretical and practical research in a clear and accessible structure, covering economic, social and territorial issues European Cohesion Policy provides a systematic view of the various stages of the whole policy cycle, looking in detail at:

• the evolution of the problems
• the design of the policy system
• the implementation in practice
• the evaluation of effects .

An authoritative analysis of the problems and debates involved, European Cohesion Policy is essential reading for students, policy makers, development workers and researchers working in all aspects of European policy.

Contents:
1. Introduction
PART I: The problem: Globalization and its effects
2. The dynamics of globalization
3. Coping with the effects of globalization
PART II: The solution: International institutions
4. The provision of public goods
5. Types of institutions and their dynamics
6. Main organizations
PART III: Solving problems in practice: The global regimes approach
7. Trade in goods and services
8. Finance
9. Environment
10. Transport and telecommunication
PART IV: Evaluation and outlook
11. Complementing the system
12. Evaluation and outlook

This book critically examines global economic institutions. It presents an accessible fluid history of globalization and explains how global public goods should be defined and how global economic institutions work. It also looks at the effect that major organizations - including the WTO, IMF and UNEP - have on areas such as finance, the environment and transport. The beauty of Global Economic Institutions lies in its unique approach and the author's ability to explain complicated economic and political systems and terms with commendable clarity and style. Students and academics interested in international business and economics will find this book a useful tool. Researchers, business consultants and policy-makers may come to see this volume as indispensable.

This title was first published in 2001. As economic integration touches ever more areas of society, more and more people are confronted by the bewildering complexity of the functioning of the European Union. Rather than merely focusing on the description of EU policies, this study of the economics of European integration seeks to: select the most relevant aspects and developments; place the wide variety of issues in a robust conceptual structure; integrate theoretical developments with the results of empirical research and of policy analysis; explain the logic of the dynamic processes; describe the structural features of the European economy; highlight the response of private companies to changes in the regulatory environment; depict the historical developments so as to give a sound basis for the understanding of the present situation and the likely future development; and set the European developments in the light of global developments. In practice Western Europe is the focus of major parts of this book.

The present book sets out to support rational choices in this matter by drawing conclusions from three approaches. The first is a systematic analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The second is an empirical investigation into the consistency of governance between policy areas and between levels of government. The third approach concentrates on effectiveness; what works to realise the objectives of the major socio- economic policy fields of the EU. They comprise competitiveness, macro and monetary, cohesion, environment, employment and external.

In the course of its development the EU has had to deal with an expanding policy agenda, covering ever more subjects and an increased diversity of instruments. It has also had to deal with an increased number of member states and an extended range of partners (regional authorities, non governmental organisations). These developments have greatly increased the risk of inconsistencies between the various policies pursued and between the various levels of competence for the same policy. Inconsistent policies are less effective than they ought to be. So, they imply a welfare loss. The EU has tried to cope with the challenge of consistency by adapting its governance. Traditionally it uses mainly the regulatory method. The effectiveness of this method has recently come into question. So alternative methods are now favoured. One is the financial method; which implies more expenditure via the EU budget. The other is coordination. The application of both methods has certain advantages and disadvantages. The problem for policy makers is then to determine the choice between the modes first and the optimal level of budgetary and coordination efforts next. Notwithstanding its obvious policy relevance the problem has got little attention from academia. This book sets out to contribute to a solution by following two approaches. The first is a systematisation of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the financial and coordination methods. The second is an empirical investigation into a range of European policy processes, implying to different degrees budgetary outlays and coordination.

Through four previous editions The Economics of European Integration by Willem Molle has established itself as a preferred textbook for students of the economics of the EU as well as a reliable reference work for those with a professional interest in the European Union. Carefully revised, this fifth edition takes into account changes in course requirements, new statistical information, and recent policy developments. It includes new material on: - the ongoing integration of the New Member States and the new forms of association with accession countries in Central and Eastern Europe; - the implementation of the Monetary Union and the performance of the euro; - the EU experience as a guide for the economic integration of other regions and for the improvement of world economic governance. Written in a clear style and combining original insights with authoritative analysis, this new edition will further enhance the book's reputation for providing the ideal introduction to the economics of the European Union.

The major problems the world faces have increased since the turn of the millennium. Recurrent storms on the financial markets have ravaged many countries, poverty is still widespread, notwithstanding decades of massive development aid, the environment remains in acute jeopardy and the major world institutions have often reached an impasse in attempting to combat these difficulties. The issues ask for rapid and consistent action by policy makers but the interests of international organizations, such as the WTO, World Bank and Kyoto protocol, have become too diversified to come to multilateral agreements setting uniform rules and asking for strict compliance with these rules. Alternative solutions are sought and development in the future is likely to be characterized by fuzzy and complex interactions between flexible groups of actors seeking agreements on the solutions for the most pressing new problems. Progress will become rather unpredictable and will depend on time, place and subject specific cases as well as convergence of interests. This need not be only negative. Flexible solutions have the advantage that they can be easily adapted in case the conditions change. In this new book, the follow up to his Global Economic Institutions, Willem Molle maps out the unfolding of this process.

The limits of established innovation processes have become clear as nations increasingly champion innovation as a tool of the ever-important 'knowledge economy'. This timely book analyses the effectiveness of innovation efforts, presenting challenges to the traditional approaches whilst developing more contemporary theories. Focusing on the interplay between three key players - knowledge organisations, firms and the public sector - this insightful volume will be invaluable to a wide-ranging audience including researchers, practitioners and students of science and technology, business and management, public policy and European studies.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.