Drawing on a series of EC policy areas that possess a cultural component, this book offers an encompassing and in-depth analysis of the integration of cultural considerations in EC law and action, assessing the impact of Article 151(4) EC in the process.

Cultural Heritage in the European Union provides a critical analysis of the laws and policies which address cultural heritage throughout Europe, considering them in light of the current challenges faced by the Union. The volume examines the matrix of organisational and regulatory frameworks concerned with cultural heritage both in the Union and its Members States, as well as their interaction, cross-fertilisation, and possible overlaps. It brings together experts in their respective fields, including not only legal, but also cultural economists, heritage professionals, government representatives, and historians. The diverse backgrounds of the authors offer a cross-disciplinary approach and a variety of views which allows an in-depth scrutinisation of the latest developments pertaining to cultural heritage in Europe.

Leading scholars investigate media policies in Europe, inquiring into the regulatory practices, policy tools and institutional features of media policy-making in 14 countries. The book offers a fresh assessment of the ways European media policies are formulated and identifies the factors that exert an influence throughout the process.

Articles offer a historical and socio-political analysis of major media and cultural policies in the European Union: 'The Place of Media and Cultural Policy in the EU', K. Sarikakis'; 'Can State Aid in the Film Sector Stand The Proof of EU and WTO Liberalisation Efforts?', C. Pauwels, S. De Vinck, B. Van Rompuy; 'Cultural Diversity and Subsidiarity: The Case of Cultural Tourism In the European Union', E. Dumont, J. Teller; 'Mediating Social Cohesion: Media and Cultural Policy in the European Union and Canada', K. Sarikakis; 'The EU, Communications Liberalisation and the Future of Public Service Broadcasting', P. Humphreys; 'More Europe: More Unity, More Diversity? The Enlargement of the European Audiovisual Space', H. de Smaele; 'Undermining Media Diversity: Inaction on Media Concentrations and Pluralism in the EU', G. Doyle; 'The Construction of European Identity and Citizenship Through Cultural Policy', L. Tsaliki; 'The EU and the Press: Policy or Non-policy?', D. Hutchison; 'Diverse Journalists in a Diverse Europe? Impulses for a Discussion on Media and Integration', S. Kretzschmar; ' Whither Cultural Diversity: The European Union's Market Vision For the Review of Television Without Frontiers Directive', M. Wheeler.

The book examines how the interests of the member states, which provide the primary driving force for developments in European integration, are internalised and addressed by the law of the European Union. In this context, member state interests are taken to mean the policy considerations, economic calculations, local socio-cultural factors, and the raw expressions of political will which shape EU policies and determine member state responses to the obligations arising from those policies. The book primarily explores the junctions and disjunctions between member state interests defined in such a manner and EU law, where the latter expresses either an obligation for the member states to comply with common policies or an acceptance of member state particularism under the common EU framework.

The European Community has pledged respect for the cultural and linguistic diversity of its Member States and has recognized minority languages as an inherent constituent in this regard. This development reflects a broader trend within the Community towards grappling with less obvious aspects of supranational governance. Minority language groups turn optimistically to `Europe' in response. But, despite rhetorical promises, just what can the EC actually be expected to do in the realm of minority language protection, a politically sensitive and traditionally domestic concern? Arguments put forward to date focus primarily on philosophical, moral, economic, and political discourse. While these considerations are a vital aspect of the debate on minority languages and on linguistic diversity more generally, the question of legal basis remains largely unanswered. For the first time, this book traces comprehensively the existence of an appropriate legal basis for action undertaken by the EC in this domain, striving in particular to locate a pragmatic yet effective balance between legitimate possibility and acceptable limitations.

This is the 17th edition of this publication which takes an interdisciplinary approach to explore European integration and the development of the European Union, its institutions, laws and policies. Issues discussed include: European treaties, laws and institutions; stages of integration relating to the Customs Union, the Common Market, EMU and the potential for political union; citizens' rights and participation, cultural policies and consumer issues; as well policies relating to taxation and competition, the environment, regional development, industry and enterprise, research and technology, energy, transport, agriculture, external relations, commercial policy and development aid. Full references to EU official texts are given throughout.