As the complex relationship between the European Union and its member states continues to evolve, this book seeks to explore not only the nature of the relationship but also the broader implications of European integration in which politics in Europe is studied. Written by a group of distinguished academics from both Europe and North America, it considers the impact of European integration both on the nature and the study of politics, especially in Western Europe.

The second of two volumes to examine how European Union member states coordinate their European policies, this book investigates the structures, institutions, and processes implemented by national governments in Brussels. It offers a detailed examination of the organization, operation, and performance of permanent representations, and their role in national systems of EU policy making, and looks at the extent to which interaction within a common institutional environment has brought about convergence between national arrangements.

A-state-of-the-art and comprehensive survey covering all aspects of politics in Western Europe. The volume brings together the very best scholars in the field from the UK, continental Europe and North America.

Comparative federalism is now an important topic, with scholarly work comparing the US and EU 'proliferating rapidly'. The present volume seeks to build on and contribute to this growing literature, by developing a systematic comparison of the institutions, policies and developmental patterns of the European Union and the United States.

This book presents the first in-depth assessment of France's policies towards NATO between 1981 and 1997. It also provides a critical assessment of these policies. It argues that France's arms-length relationship with NATO's integrated military structure served its purpose during the Cold War, but increasingly came to impose high costs thereafter. The author goes on to explain this somewhat puzzling fidelity to inappropriate policies as a function of domestic pressures on French policy-makers.

This study investigates the extent to which action at EU level in a range of industrial, financial and service sectors has affected the substance of national policy, and the behaviour of - and relationships between - member nations. It looks at the policies pursued by the four largest member states in these areas, discussing the initiatives launched by the EU and assessing the Union's impact on national policy, compared with other internal and external factors. Cutting accross the boundaries that have traditionally separated international relations, political science, public policy and other...

Considers the way in which the European Union has affected autonomy in macroeconomic policy-making of the member states. It begins with an introduction to economic ideas, and explores current themes surrounding monetary and fiscal policy and European integration, including economic policy co-ordination, objectives in national policy-making and motivations for participating in the European Monetary System. Particular focus is given to the larger member states:
* the United Kingdom
* Germany
* France
* Italy.

Considers the way in which the European Union has affected autonomy in macroeconomic policy-making of the member states. It begins with an introduction to economic ideas, and explores current themes surrounding monetary and fiscal policy and European integration, including economic policy co-ordination, objectives in national policy-making and motivations for participating in the European Monetary System. Particular focus is given to the larger member states:
* the United Kingdom
* Germany
* France
* Italy.

Filling a surprising gap in existing studies, this book addresses many of the unanswered questions surrounding the role of european integration in shaping national defence policy. The impressive array of contributors consider the pressures on state policy emanating from the process of integration. The book is divided into three distinct parts: * an outline of the tortuous history of attempts to link defence with European integration
* a study of the four larger member states - France, Germany, Italy and the UK as well as a chapter on The Netherlands;
* an analysis of the effects of the...

Bringing together contributions from the eight men who have held the post of British Permanent Representative to the EC/EU, this book provides an authoritative insight into the way Britain's relationship with its EC/EU partners has developed since accession in 1973.

• A unique and authoritative insight into the way Britain's relationship with its EC/EU partners has developed since accession in 1973.
  
• Presents overviews of this relationship written by the eight men who have held the post of British Permanent Representative to the EC/EU.
  
• Provides a...