From the Treaty of Versailles to the Treaty of Maastricht

From the Treaty of Versailles to the Treaty of Maastricht
Author: Martin Holmes
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 255
Release: 2022-08-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 1000628574

This book examines European history and politics between two very well-known but flawed treaties: The Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Maastricht. Taking the Treaty of Versailles, signed following World War I, as a starting point, the volume argues that while it was well-intentioned to the point of being utopian, it was also totally impractical, rearranging the map of Europe in a way which led to the tragic descent into conflict and barbarism in World War II. The volume then moves through the post war period, the outcome of the war producing the uneasy stability of a Cold War divided continent, and with the establishment of NATO in 1949, the process of European integration ushered in the era of cooperation. Under the influence of Charles de Gaulle, the newly created European Community acted as an association of sovereign states led by France and Germany, spurring economic growth and encouraging other countries to apply to join. After de Gaulle’s retirement in 1969, this approach was progressively abandoned in favour of a federal model of integration in which member states transferred their sovereignty to the institutions of what became the European Union. Europe was to be transformed from a continent to a country. The book concludes by analysing the Maastricht treaty, which enshrined this process, as being as fatally flawed as the Versailles Treaty and charts the post-Maastricht slow decline of the European Union giving way to widespread Euroscepticism. From the Treaty of Versailles to the Treaty of Maastricht will appeal to researchers and students alike interested in European history, politics and World War I and II.

Conquering Peace

Conquering Peace
Author: Stella Ghervas
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Total Pages: 529
Release: 2021-03-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 067497526X

A bold new look at war and diplomacy in Europe that traces the idea of a unified continent in attempts since the eighteenth century to engineer lasting peace. Political peace in Europe has historically been elusive and ephemeral. Stella Ghervas shows that since the eighteenth century, European thinkers and leaders in pursuit of lasting peace fostered the idea of European unification. Bridging intellectual and political history, Ghervas draws on the work of philosophers from Abbé de Saint-Pierre, who wrote an early eighteenth-century plan for perpetual peace, to Rousseau and Kant, as well as statesmen such as Tsar Alexander I, Woodrow Wilson, Winston Churchill, Robert Schuman, and Mikhail Gorbachev. She locates five major conflicts since 1700 that spurred such visionaries to promote systems of peace in Europe: the War of the Spanish Succession, the Napoleonic Wars, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. Each moment generated a “spirit” of peace among monarchs, diplomats, democratic leaders, and ordinary citizens. The engineers of peace progressively constructed mechanisms and institutions designed to prevent future wars. Arguing for continuities from the ideals of the Enlightenment, through the nineteenth-century Concert of Nations, to the institutions of the European Union and beyond, Conquering Peace illustrates how peace as a value shaped the idea of a unified Europe long before the EU came into being. Today the EU is widely criticized as an obstacle to sovereignty and for its democratic deficit. Seen in the long-range perspective of the history of peacemaking, however, this European society of states emerges as something else entirely: a step in the quest for a less violent world.

The Origins and Development of European Integration

The Origins and Development of European Integration
Author: Peter M. R. Stirk
Publisher: Burns & Oates
Total Pages: 358
Release: 1999
Genre: History
ISBN:

The authors seek to convey the richness of the debate, the sense of triumph and despair, and the success and failures which have marked efforts to unite Europe.

The Rotten Heart of Europe

The Rotten Heart of Europe
Author: Bernard Connolly
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Total Pages: 375
Release: 2013-01-15
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0571301754

'The Brussels Commission has just suspended its senior economist, Bernard Connolly, for writing a book savaging the prospects for a common currency. There are many who now believe he should be lauded as a prophet.' Observer, Editorial, 1 October 1995'Mr. Connolly's longstanding proposition that the foisting of a common currency upon so many disparate nations would end in ruin is getting a much wider hearing...' New York Times, 17 November 2011When first published in 1995, The Rotten Heart of Europe caused outrage and delight - here was a Brussels insider, a senior EU economist, daring to talk openly about the likely pitfalls of European monetary union. Bernard Connolly lost his job at the Commission, but his book was greeted as a profound and persuasive expose of the would-be 'monetary masters of the world.' His brave act of defiance became headline news - and his book a major international bestseller. In a substantial new introduction, Connolly returns to his prophetic account of the double-talk surrounding the efforts of politicians, bankers and bureaucrats to force Europe into a crippling monetary straitjacket. Hidden agendas are laid bare, skulduggery exposed and economic fallacies are skewered, producing a horrifying conclusion. No one who wants to understand the workings of the EU, past, present and future can afford to miss this enthralling and deeply disturbing book.

The Concept of State Aid Under EU Law

The Concept of State Aid Under EU Law
Author: Juan Jorge Piernas López
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 460
Release: 2015-08-06
Genre: Law
ISBN: 0191065595

How has the evolution and transformation of the Common Market affected the legal concept of State aid? How has State aid adapted to the development of the European Union? These questions and more are answered in Juan Jorge Piernas López's examination of the historical, political, constitutional, and economical events that have affected the development of State aid in the EU. Examining three key, interwoven arguments, this book provides a richer understanding of current formulas which depict the concept of aid through the prism of policy and enforcement considerations. First, the book demonstrates that the concept of aid is a 'living instrument' that has been applied in accordance with the main policy priorities of the European Commission. Second, contrary to what has been affirmed in other literature, the evolution of this concept has been influenced by the broader advancement of the case law of the Court of Justice in different periods of the integration process. Third, the author contends that the study of the evolution of the concept of aid in light of policy and case law provides a holistic outlook valuable to the decision making process of difficult cases. In this regard, the book provides criteria to interpret and discuss cases including Sloman Neptun, Philip Morris, and Azores, beyond the analysis traditionally adopted in this field.

Ever Closer Union?

Ever Closer Union?
Author: Perry Anderson
Publisher: Verso Books
Total Pages: 273
Release: 2021-09-28
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1839764449

A comprehensive, critical assessment of the EU after Brexit The European Union is a political order of peculiar stamp and continental scope, its polity of 446 million the third largest on the planet, though with famously little purchase on the conduct of its representatives. Sixty years after the founding treaty, what sort of structure has crystallised, and does the promise of ever closer union still obtain? Against the self-image of the bloc, Perry Anderson poses the historical record of its assembly. He traces the wider arc of European history, from First World War to Eurozone crisis, the hegemony of Versailles to that of Maastricht, and casts the work of the EU’s leading contemporary analysts – both independent critics and court philosophers – in older traditions of political thought. Are there likenesses to the age of Metternich, lessons in statecraft from that of Machiavelli? An excursus on the UK’s jarring departure from the Union considers the responses it has met with inside the country’s intelligentsia, from the contrite to the incandescent. How do Brussels and Westminster compare as constitutional forms? Differently put, which could be said to be worse?

Historical Dictionary of British Foreign Policy

Historical Dictionary of British Foreign Policy
Author: Peter Neville
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Total Pages: 391
Release: 2013-03-22
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0810873710

British foreign policy has always been based on distinctive principles since the setting up of the Foreign Office in 1782 as one of the two original offices of state, the other being the Home Office. As a small island nation, Britain was historically fearful of over mighty continental powers, which might seek to menace its trade routes, and naval primacy was essential. Britain must dominate at sea while avoiding, involvement in major continental wars and Britain accomplished this successfully until the end of the 19th century. After World War II and the Cold War Britain was no longer the global naval super power and they had to adapt to a secondary, supportive role. This was to be based on its membership of regional defense and economic organizations in Europe. The Historical Dictionary of British Foreign Policy provides an overview of the conduct of British diplomacy since the setting up of the Foreign Office in 1782. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, an extensive bibliography, and over 300 cross-referenced dictionary entries on British prime ministers, foreign secretaries, foreign office staff and leading diplomats, but also on related military and political-economic aspects. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about British foreign policy.

Encyclopedia of World Trade: From Ancient Times to the Present

Encyclopedia of World Trade: From Ancient Times to the Present
Author: Cynthia Clark Northrup
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 2481
Release: 2015-04-10
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1317471520

Written for high school or beginning undergraduate students, this four-volume reference valiantly attempts to provide a historical framework for the perhaps overly broad concept of world trade. Entry topics were selected on trade organizations, influential people, commodities, events that affected trade, trade routes, navigation, religion, communic

Economics [4 volumes]

Economics [4 volumes]
Author: David A. Dieterle
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 1971
Release: 2017-03-27
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

A comprehensive four-volume resource that explains more than 800 topics within the foundations of economics, macroeconomics, microeconomics, and global economics, all presented in an easy-to-read format. As the global economy becomes increasingly complex, interconnected, and therefore relevant to each individual, in every country, it becomes more important to be economically literate—to gain an understanding of how things work beyond the microcosm of the economic needs of a single individual or family unit. This expansive reference set serves to establish basic economic literacy of students and researchers, providing more than 800 objective and factually driven entries on all the major themes and topics in economics. Written by leading scholars and practitioners, the set provides readers with a framework for understanding economics as mentioned and debated in the public forum and media. Each of the volumes includes coverage of important events throughout economic history, biographies of the major economists who have shaped the world of economics, and highlights of the legislative acts that have shaped the U.S. economy throughout history. The extensive explanations of major economic concepts combined with selected key historical primary source documents and a glossary will endow readers with a fuller comprehension of our economic world.

The Chambers Crossword Dictionary, 3rd edition

The Chambers Crossword Dictionary, 3rd edition
Author: Chambers
Publisher: Chambers
Total Pages: 3275
Release: 2012-09-07
Genre: Games & Activities
ISBN: 055010545X

What makes The Chambers Crossword Dictionary different? The ultimate resource for all crossword lovers Chambers Crossword Dictionary is an essential resource for crosswords of all kinds. Comprehensive, reliable and easy-to-use, this major new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated by a team of crossword experts, and is specially tailored to the needs of crossword solvers. With more than 500,000 solutions to cryptic and quick clues, plus explanations of cryptic clue types and the use of anagram and other indicators, and insights into the world of crossword setting and memorable clues, it is an indispensable companion for all cruciverbalists. The best-selling reference for crossword solvers and setters - Over 500,000 solutions for every kind of crossword - More than 2,500 crossword code words to alert you to cryptic ploys - New synonyms to give you up-to-the-minute answers - New topic lists to help you solve general knowledge clues - Over 19,600 'one-stop' entries, with both synonyms and encyclopedic material - Word lists sorted by length and then alphabetically to make finding solutions easy - Includes words, phrases, abbreviations, symbols, codes and other cryptic 'building blocks' - Packed with crossword jargon, anagram and other indicators and essential cryptic vocabulary - Draws on The Chambers Dictionary, the authoritative Chambers reference range and the vast Chambers crossword clue database Packed with expert advice from crossword masters: - Derek Arthur (1945-2010), co-editor of The Listener crossword in The Times and of the Chambers Crossword Dictionary, 2nd edition - Ross Beresford, former co-editor of The Listener crossword - Jonathan Crowther, better known to cryptic crossword solvers as Azed, having set crosswords for The Observer for almost 40 years - Don Manley, crossword setter for many quality newspapers under various pseudonyms (Duck, Quixote, Bradman, Giovanni) and Church Times crossword editor - Tim Moorey, one of the crossword setting team for The Sunday Times, crossword editor of The Week and author of How to Master The Times Crossword What is new in this edition? New solutions, synonyms, and topic lists This brand new edition, compiled from Chambers' highly acclaimed and vast crossword resources, has been fully updated with thousands of new solutions to be even more useful to crossword fans. New synonyms for publication such as 'podcast' and 'blog' bring the content bang up-to-the-minute. New topic lists such as 'curries' and 'geese' help solve general knowledge clues. All words are grouped by meaning, then by number of characters, then alphabetically, to make finding the solution quick and easy. Special cryptic crossword words which indicate anagrams, reversals, etc give hints and tips for solvers.