European Integration: Scope and Limits

by M. Holmes

Overview

While acknowledging the ability of the European Union to advance towards greater political and economic integration, this book questions the wisdom of the European 'project'. Economic and monetary union is a risky venture even for the convergent countries of the continent - let alone divergent Britain - as the uncertain birth of the Euro proves. Political union, moreover, remains an elite aspiration which weakens democratic accountability and lacks popular legitimacy. The likelihood is that the full scope of EU integration will also reveal profound limits.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349423002
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	01/01/2001
Edition description:	1st ed. 2001
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.99(h) x (d)

About the Author

MARTIN HOLMES is a Lecturer in Politics at St Hugh's College, Oxford and Director of the College of Business Administration (UNL) Oxford. He is editor of The Eurosceptical Reader.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Introduction PART I: BRITAIN AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION The Conservative Party and Europe John Major and Europe: the Failure of a Policy William Hague's European Policy PART II: ECONOMIC INTEGRATION From Single Market to a Single Currency: Evaluating Europe's Economic Experiment The European Economy East and West: Convergence or Divergence? The Transatlantic Implications of European Monetary Union PART III: POLITICAL INTEGRATION European Federal Integration: The Case Against Franco-German Friendship and the Destination of Federalism Reviewing Europe: Selected Book Reviews 1991-97 Index

Editorial Reviews

Thoughtful and intelligent...acute arguments here that are not often aired in the great British euro debate...

Times Literary Supplement

While acknowledging the ability of the European Union to advance towards greater political and economic integration, this book questions the wisdom of the European project. The risks of economic and monetary union are outlined, with a focus on the rough beginnings of the Euro. Intense scrutiny is cast on the possibility of political union, with its implications for democratic accountability, self- governance, and legitimacy. Holmes teaches politics and business administration at Oxford University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

'...thoughtful and intelligent.' - Janet Bush, Times Literary Supplement

From the Publisher