What does competitiveness mean? In recent years, discussion of economic policy has become dominated by the notion of competitiveness. In this volume a group of leading economists explore the issue through cross-country comparisons and by means of single country case studies. They also examine:
* the relationship between competitiveness and community objectives
* the co-existence of diversity, subsidiarity and EU industrial policy
* the impact of European enlargement and further integration

This book is a wide-ranging analysis of the nature of economic planning in both capitalist and statist societies. It seeks to establish an alternative to market forces as a means of coordinating decentralized economic decisions.

Devine begins with an analysis of the theory and practice of capitalist planning, central planning and 'market socialism'. He argues that, while market socialism is
currently favoured by many economists who reject both capitalism and the command planning of the Soviet model, it cannot fulfil the promises held out for it.

In the remainder of the book...