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What Is European Integration Really About? A Political Guide for Economists

Author

Listed:
  • Spolaore, Enrico

    (Tufts University)

Abstract
Europe’s monetary union is part of a broader process of integration that started in the aftermath of World War II. In this “political guide for economists” we look at the creation of the euro within the bigger picture of European integration. How and why were European institutions established? What are the goals and determinants of European Integration? What is European integration really about? We address these questions from a political-economy perspective, building on ideas and results from the economic literature on the formation of states and political unions. Specifically, we look at the motivations, assumptions, and limitations of the European strategy, initiated by Jean Monnet and his collaborators, of partially integrating policy functions in a few areas, with the expectation that more integration will follow in other areas, in a sort of chain reaction towards an “ever-closer union.” The euro with its current problems is a child of that strategy and its limits

Suggested Citation

  • Spolaore, Enrico, 2013. "What Is European Integration Really About? A Political Guide for Economists," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 141, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cge:wacage:141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European integration;

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F50 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - General
    • F55 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Institutional Arrangements
    • H40 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - General
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism
    • N44 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: 1913-

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