State-building in Europe

Why and how was the process of Western European integration relaunched in the 1980s and 1990s? This volume suggests a new framework of analysis of the European statebuilding tradition. Based on qualitative research (including more than 30 interviews with protagonists from EU member states), and detailed case studies and policy analyses (the genesis of the Single Market programme and the Single European Act, ESPRIT technology corporatism, biotechnology, EU regional and social policy) the authors show that new forms of cooperation between political and economic actors have developed, both at transnational and supranational level. The book shows how the European Commission, bureaucratic cabinets, national diplomats, transnational companies, pressure groups and representatives of the regions have set in motion a process that is changing statehood in Europe dramatically. This discussion of the origins of this process is a valuable contribution to the debate on the future of Europe in the world system.

This book discusses the origins of European integration, giving a valuable contribution to the debate on the future of Europe.

Part I. Statebuilding and Political Entrepreneurship: 1. Western Europe's move toward political union Volker Bornschier; 2. Tying up the Luxembourg package of 1985 Patrick Ziltener; Part II. The Core Elements in Recasting the European Bargain: 3. The origins of the single market Nicola Fielder; 4. Esprit and technology corporatism Simon Parker; 5. Regional policy - monetary lubricant for economic integration Patrick Ziltener; 6. Social policy - the defeat of the delorist project Patrick Ziltener; Part III. Conclusions beyond the Single European Act of 1986: 7. Lobbying for a Europe of big business Michael Nollert and Nicola Fielder; 8. Biotechnology in the European union Michael Nollert; 9. European integration after the single act Patrick Ziltener; 10. The state of the European union Volker Bornschier; Bibliography; List of interview partners.