*** ANJO G. HARRYVAN: In Pursuit of Influence. The Netherlands' European Policy during the Formative Years of the European Union,1952-1973. Presses Interuniversitaires Européennes - Peter Lang (1 av. Maurice, B-1050 Brussels. Tel: (41-32) 3761717 - fax: 3761727 - E-mail: info@peterlang.com - Internet: http://www.peterlang.com ). "European Policy" series, No. 42. 2009, 284 pp., €35.90. ISBN 978-90-5201-497-5.
The author of this important and original book is a graduate in history and law at the free University of Amsterdam. He received his doctorate in history at the European University Institute of Florence and is currently teaching international relations at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The central thesis of the book, as explained in the introduction, is how countries considered as small can have an influence in international relations, and more particularly, in the framework of a community of nations such as Europe. The ultimate goal of this book is not to confirm a thesis but to demonstrate how the history of action taken by the Netherlands in the construction of Europe can prove it. The author therefore explains, "Given that our goal was to propose an analysis of history and not a political science - we sought to recount history and not prove a thesis - modesty and prudence are required in this case. Nonetheless, the case of the Netherlands in European affairs over the years in helping shape the European Union, undeniably demonstrates that more modest powers can also assume a substantially important role in international relations". The influence of the Netherlands in the construction of Europe between1952 - 1973 fait is the subject of this book, which illustrates that this influence is, above all, technical "engineering influence", much more than simply political or diplomatic influence.
This book ultimately explains the importance of individuals and the choices they make in connection with the different interests they seek to defend and how these choices determine the influence they exert outside of their own borders. There is no denying that the European affairs minister, Jan Willem Beyen, who took up this role in the years 1952 - 1956, is a key figure in the development of the Netherlands' European policy and that he left his imprint on the period of recovery (following the failure of the European Community of Defence), which finally led to the Treaty of Rome in 1957 and the subsequent supra-nationality as represented by the Common Market, which would soon follow. His strategy was shaped by the situation in the Benelux countries and, in cooperation with Paul-Henri Spaak, he suggested a lot of possible solutions but did not attempt to impose them, which is an example of this kind of technical influence, explains the author.
His successor s, Joseph Luns, who remained in this post for 15 years and who marked more than a decade of the Netherlands' European policy (1956 - 1971), is also a key individual who was able to play off the different interests in an effort to promote a policy that favoured maintaining Europe's common cohesion. This was partly done against General de Gaulle's attempt to create a Europe that was more oriented on an inter-State axis. There is no doubt that the period of negotiations involving the Fouchet Plan (1959 - 1962), followed by his own “empty chair” crisis provided the main players in this period with the opportunity of demonstrating that the defence of common interests could more often than not help defend their own interests. Luns, therefore, can be seen as the key player who helped keep the common enterprise on course and who exerted this “ unmentioned” but real influence.
The author therefore very clearly describes evolutions in this sphere by way of a very precise analysis of the different developments in common policies during this period, particularly the Common Agricultural Policy, Political Cooperation and the Lomé agreements. This obviously involves demonstrating how the interests of the country itself were defended but also, and more particularly, how mindsets changed and allowed for the development of the genuinely “Community” spirit, which went beyond the different opposition met along the way and which was very present and often marked relations between the Netherlands and France. A note on the shaping of the Netherlands European policy is revealing. The analysis of the Dutch government's work in this arena between 1950 and 1960 underlines the Prime Minister's role - who presides the government coalition more than he orientates or leads it -, Anjo G. Harryvan explains how, in practice, the foreign affairs ministers during this period, Stikker, Beyen, Luns and Schmelzer, " are the real heroes depicted in this book”. This perspective is respected by all historians who believe that (according to the much quoted adage of Jean Monnet), “without individuals, nothing gets done; without the institutions nothing lasts”. The influence of the Netherlands in the construction of Europe has, above all, been about certain individuals much more than it has been about a state. It is therefore not about the physical or material situation that determines real power but rather, and above all, that of the activity in which human beings are engaged. This is a very good book and useful to anybody interested in the history.
Gabriel Fragnière
*** KAI-ALAF LANG: Populismus in den neuen Mitgliedsländern der EU, Potentiale, Akteure, Konsequenzen. Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit, 3-4 Ludwigkirchplatz, D-10719 Berlin. Tel: (49-30) 88007-0 - fax: 88007-100 - E-mail: swp@swp-berlin.orge - Internet: http: //http://www.swp-berlin.org ). "SWP-Studie" series, No. 16. 2009, 35 pp.. ISBN 1611-6372.
The Copenhagen criteria, the conditions set out for a country that wants to join the European Union, stipulates that all candidate countries and members are obliged to respect certain democratic values such as the protection of minorities and the guarantee of respect for human rights. Nonetheless, the political situation in new member states is sometimes very far removed from these criteria. This is the observation made by Kai-Alaf Lang in this study. In effect, populist parties have gained ground in recent elections in the majority of new member states, particularly in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. These events represent new challenges to the European Union. The author illustrates the problems posed by this new situation and the consequences that could result from it (as well as the actors involved in these events). A number of national case studies are presented in different chapters, as well as a description of the different populist movements and the themes on which these political forces campaign and drive them forward. The final chapter focuses on potential reactions from other member states.
(JD)
*** OLIVIER ROZENBERG (editor): Les élections européennes et le Parlement européen entre influence et indifférence. Éditions L'Harmattan (5-7 rue de l'Ecole polytechnique, F-75005 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 40467920 - fax: 43258203 - E-mail: diffusion.harmattan@wanadoo.fr - Internet: http://www.librairieharmattan.com ). "Politique européenne" series, No. 28. 2009, 184 pp., €18. ISBN 978-2-296-09844-2.
This review is published by the editorial board at the Centre d'études européennes de Sciences Po (European Political Sciences Studies Centre). In this issue, several political scientists scrutinise the European Parliament in light of the most recent elections. Olivier Rozenberg subsequently supports the idea (which might initially appeared surprising) that the different developments in voter activity during the European elections and the increasing power of the European Parliament are not coincidental and MEPs are therefore able to legislate free from the pressure of public opinion. Simon Hix and Sara Hagemann explain that revision of electoral rules could make European elections more attractive and smaller electoral boundary areas and open lists of candidacies could help to encourage people to vote for the specific candidates and strengthen the link between citizens and their MEPs (subsequently increasing voter turnout). Till Weber defends the idea (in English) put forward by the authors of the previous contribution that voters during European elections are increasingly unlikely to be influenced by their preferences regarding the integration process. Other articles focus on the Constitutional Affairs Committee and the politicisation of Parliament in light of work undertaken by the Parliamentary committees. The publication also includes an exploration by Olivier Costa, who locates the European Parliament in the decision-making system of the European Union and who refers to " power at a price of a illegibility".
(MT)
*** FLORIAN RÖDL: Europäische Arbeitsverfassung. Zentrum für europäische Rechtspolitik (Universität Bremen, Universitätsallee GW 1, D-28359 Bremen). "ZERP Diskussionpapie" series, No. 1. 2009, 54 pp..
The author is a researcher at the University of Bremen's European Centre. He provides an historical and legal analysis of the Union Constitution. The study looks at the economic aspects symbolised by the first steps of the Community and then in light of the social components, which become increasingly present in European policies. This approach is used to retrace the European Union's evolution and current configuration. This book is interesting both historically and politically, as well as legally, economically and socially in its tackling of the subject.
(EPi)
*** TADEUSZ GUZ, JAN GLUCHOWSKI, MARIA R. PALUBSKA (Editors): A Synthesis of Polish Law. Part 1 / Part 2. Peter Lang (see address attached). 2009, 742 pp., 119,60 €. ISBN 978-3-631-59103-1.
This book is in two volumes and was developed by the Jean-Paul II Catholic University's Legal Sciences Faculty. It was put together by a number of legal experts and other universities in Poland and aims to provide a systematic analysis of the country's legal apparatus. Few people have any knowledge about the Polish legal system because of the language barrier. This book seeks to make good this shortcoming. The study is written in English the end of each chapter provides a summary in French and German. It explores the history, philosophy and theory of law, as well as material law and its procedural equivalent. The first volume includes studies focusing on law in Western Europe and in Poland during the Middle Ages, Roman law and Poland's legal culture, the main philosophic currents in law, civil law and its administrative and private international legal equivalence in Poland. The second tome provides a number of examinations into financial law, sentencing, agreements at work, religious and canon law in Poland. The authors also examine the problematic development of several legal branches provoked by regime changes and the Second World War. This book is obviously aimed at legal experts navigating in Polish judicial waters and who are delighted to being engaged in such an activity.
(NDu)
*** ZEYNEP BARAZ, MURAT BATUR, TURGUT GÜMÜÞOÐLU, HAKAN KALAYCI: Türkische Migranten in Österreich. Eine Querschnittstudie der türkischen Migrantengemeinschaft zwischen transnationaler Struktur und Integration. Peter Lang (see address attached). 2009, 267 pp., €42.50. ISBN 978-3-631-57840-7.
This publication was put together by a research group based in three regions in Austria. The study's starting point is a questionnaire that helped set up a detailed database on the questions of family, language, culture and the economic situation of Turkish immigrants in this country. By way of the analysis of the different information provided, the authors seek to highlight the phenomenon of migration itself but also the social, political and economic situation of these migrants. The results demonstrate that social networks play a crucial role in the continuity of Turkish emigration. In effect, Turkish immigrants develop an "immigrant identity", which leads to a sort of parallel life in Austria and them meeting very few Austrians. Following a theoretical section focusing on the definition of the different concepts such as trans-nationalism, assimilation and integration and multiculturalism, this book explores the results obtained and provides a number of different interpretations. This is a far-reaching study providing an interesting insight into the question of trans-national identity.
(EPi)
*** AURELIA COLOMBI CIACCHI: Internationales Privatrecht, ordre public européen und Europäische Grundrechte. Zentrum für europäische Rechtspolitik (see address attached). "ZERP Diskussionpapie" series, No. 1. 2008, 45 p., €8.
This publication analyses and compares international private law, European public order and European fundamental rights. In an effort to demonstrate the impact of these subjects on the notion of public order in the international system of private law, examples of jurisprudence from national courts, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice are put forward. The author also analyses common areas such as the differences between member states in connection with fundamental rights. These questions are addressed to the whole of Europe and not only to member states of the Union. The study subsequently provides an interpretation of international public order within the scope of private law and fundamental European rights.
(EPi)
*** BETTINA BOCK, ROSEMARIE LÜHR (Editors): Normen- und Wertbegriffe in der Verständingung zwischen Ost- und Westeuropa. Peter Lang (see address attached). 2007, 206 pp.. ISBN 978-3-631-55728-0.
This issue provides contributions made during a week at the University of Jena in February 2006, where linguists, philosophers, sociologists and legal specialists discussed and analysed a certain number of concepts encapsulating the standards and values on which societies construct their moral and political references (in Eastern and Western Europe). The contributions made are very diverse and involve, for example: the notions of “freedom and equality” in the Albanian language; the very specific value of the notion of, rownosc equality in Polish. The book also includes analyses of these terms in relation to literature and the economic and moral values found in the two parts of Europe. In conclusion, linguistic research is proposed into certain standards and values, in an effort to create greater reciprocal understanding between the different approaches in Eastern and Western Europe, which have come onto the scene since the disappearance of the Iron Curtain. This is an interesting but very specialised book and not always easy to read with regard to the r evolution of languages required for accompanying important political developments.
(GFr)