Federalism and the European Union: The Building of Europe, 1950-2000A revisionist interpretation of the post-war evolution of European integration and the European Union (EU), this book reappraises and reassesses conventional explanations of European integration. It adopts a federalist approach which supplements state-based arguments with federal political ideas, influences and strategies. By exploring the philosophical and historical origins of federal ideas and tracing their influence throughout the whole of the EU's evolution, the book makes a significant contribution to the scholarly debate about the nature and development of the EU. The book looks at federal ideas stretching back to the sixteenth century and demonstrates their fundamental continuity to contemporary European integration. It situates these ideas in the broad context of post-war western Europe and underlines their practical relevance in the activities of Jean Monnet and Altiero Spinelli. Post-war empirical developments are explored from a federalist perspective, revealing an enduring persistence of federal ideas which have been either ignored or overlooked in conventional interpretations. The book challenges traditional conceptions of the post-war and contemporary evolution of the EU, to reassert and reinstate federalism in theory and practice at the very core of European integration. |
Other editions - View all
Federalism and European Union: The Building of Europe, 1950-2000 Michael Burgess Limited preview - 2000 |
Federalism and European Union: The Building of Europe, 1950-2000 Michael Burgess No preview available - 2000 |
Federalism and European Union: The Building of Europe, 1950-2000 Michael Burgess No preview available - 2000 |
Common terms and phrases
achieve acknowledged action already approach areas authority become building called central century chapter circumstances claimed clearly close Commission Committee Common Market competences conception concerning confederation constitutional context continuity cooperation debate Delors direct distinction early economic effectively elections emerged established Europe European Community European Council European integration European Union evolution existing federal federalists French further future German goal governments historical ideas implications important included influences initiative institutional intellectual interests intergovernmental Italy Jacques Delors limited London look Maastricht major means Ministers Monnet nature organization origins Parliament particular political possible post-war powers practice President principle problems progress proposals question reality reflected reform relations relationship remained Report response role seemed sense significance single social Spinelli steps strategy subsidiarity suggest theoretical theory Tindemans treaty understanding United