This book provides a wide range of in-depth historical and theoretical analyses of the Bulgarian and Romanian accessions to the European Union. It also assesses the implications of the 2007 round for future enlargements of the European Union. This book was published as a special issue of Perspectives on European Politics and Socie

The proposed enlargement of the European Union to include countries from Central and Eastern Europe has become an important political issue. Widening the European Union focuses on those institutional reforms of the Union that may be necessary to make the enlargement possible. The institutional structure, originally designed for the Union of just six states, might not be suitable for a EU of twenty-seven or more member states. An overview of current rational choice theories of institutional change is provided before the volume focuses on several aspects of institutional reforms in the Union. Widening the European Union contains contributions from a distinguished team of European academics. This book is a valuable resource to students of the European Union with an interest in its politics and policy, enlargement and institutional reform.

As the EU and NATO prepare to enlarge, this volume assesses the likely impact on new member states and their neighbours remaining outside these two organizations. Through a combination of thematic and case study chapters it discusses the economic and security implications of enlargement for both ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’. Assesses the likely impact of EU and Nato enlargement. Investigates three thematic areas: economic cooperation, security and defence, and free movement of people. Considers five country case studies. Outlines the current relations between the states, how these relate to the past and what effect enlargement will have.

The introduction of the single currency in the European economic space constitutes without doubt the most visible step towards monetary and economic integration in the EU. Those who boosted the birth of the Common Market in 1957 dreamt that this would one day come about as a logical consequence of the integration process. However, things have gone much more slowly than possibly imagined, although if taken in an adequate historic perspective, it is undeniable that the agreements that have led to European Monetary Union signify a really formidable jump in the process of political and economic integration in Europe. This is something many doubted would ever happen, but which is already a reality, although still in need of a period of consolidation. The most general economic consequences of the EMU have already been analysed in considerable depth. Proof of this is the literature already available. In general, there is coincidence in affirming that the balance of the results expected is clearly positive. Firstly, as a result of the anticipated gains in efficiency, a consequence of reduction of transaction costs associated to the previous existence of different currencies and of the elimination of exchange rate uncertainties.

The World Economic Outlook, published twice a year in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic, presents IMF staff economists analyses of global economic developments during the near and medium term. Chapters give an overview of the world economy; consider issues affecting industrial countries, developing countries, and economies in transition to market; and address topics of pressing current interest. Annexes, boxes, charts, and an extensive statistical appendix augment the text.

This broad and all-encompassing study focuses on Europe s new policy agendas. It brings together international academic experts on a range of policies to discuss Europe s place in the world and its relationship to the USA and beyond. This book concentrates on two key themes of particular salience for policy makers: the enlargement of the EU and the place of Europe in international politics. An expansive list of important policy areas within these themes is explored, including: enlargement political and constitutional implications and international socialization of central and eastern Europe Europe and the USA: security and defence policy, trade, finance and development institutional development and external relations in justice and home affairs before and after September 11 international terrorism, EU immigration and asylum and borders policy human rights and civil rights agriculture, environmental policy and regional policy pensions and ageing in Europe. This book constitutes a major contribution to achieving a deeper understanding of European integration and the barriers to integration within the context of global and multi-level governance. As such, it will be of enormous interest to an extensive audience including academics, researchers, students, policy makers and practitioners in the fields of political studies, international relations, public policy, European studies, US studies and security studies.