*** ROBERT M. WORCESTER: How to Win the Euro Referendum. Lessons from 1975. The Foreign Policy Centre (Central Books, 99 Wallis Road, London E9 5LN. Tel: (44-20) 89865488 - Fax: 85335821 - E-mail: info@fpc.org.uk - Internet: http://www.fpc.org.uk ). 2000, 68 pages, £9.95. ISBN 0-9535598-9-0.
Independent think tank in favour of developing innovative ideas and effective solutions for a world it sees as ceaselessly interdependent (in certain minds, the time is far, luckily, where Great Britain was above all an island…), the Foreign Policy Centre produces a highly useful work by publishing this piece. Very useful from a European point of view, as the authors is motivated by the abandoning of the Pound for the Euro; also very useful from a British point of view as it encourages to think that the referendum that will be organised on this issues must and can be won. Also, even more so, that it gives recipes to this end by basing itself on the lessons to be drawn from the popular consultation of 1975, when the British had to choose between maintaining their country in the Community or withdrawing. And Robert M. Worcester knows what we are talking about. This distinguished political scientist, not content with being one of the great analysts of opinion polls, was one of the advisors to Prime Minister… Harold Wilson during the campaign for the Yes vote in 1975. Battle that long seemed lost for the pro-Europeans since a majority of British where opposed to the continuation of the European experience in their country. Out from the ballot box, two third of the electorate had nevertheless made the opposite choice…
For the author, history can repeat itself in the case of the Euro. One condition, however, that the lessons of the previous experience are correctly drawn, knowing that the situation is no doubt even more complex today than it was twenty five years ago and it is down to the political leaders favourable to the "Yes to the Euro" to develop and apply a tactic that must be rigorous. On the basis of the ideas of Robert Worcester, the journalist Dick Leonard (in favour in Brussels… even if, in 1971, he was one of the 69 Labour parliamentarians that opposed Great British accession in 1971) and Mark Leonard, Director of the Foreign Policy centre, also distinguished the key factors of 1975 that should remain topical tomorrow. He broaches the positioning compared to the status quo. At the time, the "anti" wanted change, namely the withdrawal. This time, it is the opposite: the Conservative leader William Hague it working to show that saying "no" would return to favouring the status quo, Great British membership to the EU was not in question in this case. Other difference: the opinion maskers are noticeably more divided than at the time, when all the national newspapers (except the Morning Star) and the business circles where in favour of the common market. This time, note the two Leonards', "the press will certainly be divided and probably against in a predominant fashion, in terms of circulation if not the intellectual weight", what will force the "pro" to fall back on the audiovisual media that are far less ideological, as well as the local and regional newspapers. The situation of the parties has nothing, it to, that is comparable. In 1975, the Conservative and Liberal parties where generally pro-common market while the Labour Party was seriously divided on the European issue between its leaders "pro" and the ground; twenty five years later, the Liberals are along side Labour, with the Conservatives divided, but generally hostile towards the Euro. For Dick and Mark Leonard, the leaders in favour of the Euro would be well advised to follow the example of Britain in Europe, this organisation that, in 1975, had gathered together the partisans of Europe all political affiliations mixed. Better, they assure, they should offer the Presidency of such an organisation to a Conservative (they cite Clark or Heseltine), in the same way as Ted Heath had accepted to be the Vice-President of Roy Jenkins…
The other decisive factors concern the credibility of the leaders (with, there, great permanence: they are all in the "for" camp), the choice of timing (Worchester feels, in this matter, that Tony Blair made a mistake by not taking advantage of the wave of popularity he enjoyed after his victory, but the honeymoon seemingly over also with a ringing and tripping Euro) and on the ability of the "pro-Euro" to motivate their troupes to go to the ballot boxes. Which is the whole problem of European democracy.
Michel Theys
*** Ause Notizie. Associazione Universitaria Studi Europei. (5 via San Felice, I-27100 Pavia. Tel/Fax: (39-382) 23300 - Email: cde@unipv.it - Internet: http: //http://www.unipv.it/cdepv/ ). July2000, 16 pages.
Dario Velo, Director of this publication, questions himself in his editorial on the theme "What Europe after monetary union?", by calling in particular for the establishment of a "Minister of Finance for the Euro area". Furthermore, Bertrand Soret analyses the relations between the EU and Russia in an article raising the "strategic partnership tried by crisis" (financial; crash and conflict in Kosovo), while a section is dedicated to the Jean Monnet projects in 2000.
(MG)
*** MICHEL BEINE, FREDERIC DOCQUIER (Edited by): Croissance et convergence économiques des régions. Théorie, faits et déterminants. De Boeck & Larcier (distribution: Accès+, 4 Fond Jean-Pâques, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve. Tel: (32-10) 482500 - Fax: 482519 - E-mail: acces+@deboeck.be). Statistical studies service of the Ministry for the Walloon Region collection. 2000, 435 pages, BEF 1,200, FF 195. ISBN 2-8041-3343-5.
This work is edited under the leadership of two macro-economists active in the Statistical service of the Ministry for the Walloon Region in Belgium (who teach, among others, one at the University of Lille 2, and the other and the Mediterranean University in Marseilles in Aix-Marseilles) starts from the realisation: economic convergence becomes a ceaselessly clearer reality at the Member State level, thanks be given to the Maastricht criteria; the results are clearly more mitigated if we analyse the developments at a regional level. In fourteen contributions, the major stakes of regional convergence are broached. The first part of this book draws a portrait of the statistics of the European regional economies on the basis of Belgian realities. The second part is dedicated to theoretical analysis of the mechanisms at the basis of the phenomena's of growth and convergence. In a third part are presented the methods and results of the statistical test carried out at a European level. The last part concentrates on the Belgian case and establishes a diagnostic of the various economic policies that favour the accumulation of growth factors and, starting, economic convergence.
(MT)
*** JEANNE BOUCOURECHLIEV: Une société de droit européen ? Presses de Sciences Po (44 rue du Four, F-75006 Paris. E-mail: info@presses.sciences-po.fr - Internet: http: //http://www.sciences-po.fr ). "La bibliothèque du décideur" collection. 1999, 126 pages, FF 75. ISBN 2-7246-0785-6.
Published in a recently created collection that aims to offer accessible summaries to all the multidisciplinary work that is done by the Research Centre on Business law in the Paris Chamber for Industry and Trade, this work covers another Loch Ness monster: the European Public Limited Company which has been ceaselessly spoken about for thirty years, but that nobody sees coming… At the time of the great market, companies remain still and always prisoners of their legal foundries, even if some of them have learned to circumvent them by learning from the disparities in national law. A stagnant and anarchic situation to which the author does not resign himself. As part of the rupture compared to the premises, the options and the legislative method to the planned European company (it analyses, firstly, what was Community policy, then that of the Union towards the freedom to establish companies, with its difficulties and failures, as well as the harmonisation programme that widely developed, but has now "hit its limits on crucial points") Jeanne Boucourechliev proposes neither more nor less than creating a supple and accessible legal tool for all EU companies: she puts forward a planned private European company, that is to say of the SARL, GmbH or Private Company. She thus favours a suppler and contractual approach than that which was favoured until now, though without neglecting for as much - the draft regulation she presents in the annex - the protection of associates and third parties. A constructive work.
(MT)
*** PAUL LURKIN, OLIVIER MAES: Les coordonnées sur les sociétés commerciales de droit luxembourgeois (Officious coordination July 1999). Etablissements Emile Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5129845). 2000, 247 pages, BEF 1,900. ISBN 2-8027-1350-7.
Two company reviewers have gathered, in this work, all the Luxembourg laws that cover the various forms of commercial companies. Without commenting on these legislative texts, they thus review limited partnerships, public limited companies, cooperatives, partnerships limited by shares, short-term associations and participative associations, as well as subjects such as the liquidation of companies, penal provisions, shares and prescriptions of companies formed in foreign countries, limited companies, mergers, sessions, social accounts and consolidated accounts.
(LD)
*** YVES DOZ, GARY HAMEL: L'Avantage des Alliances. Logiques de création de valeur. Dunod (Paris. Internet: http: //http://www.dunod.com ). "Stratégies et management" collection. 2000, 325 pages. ISBN 2-10-004296-3.
Ten years ago, most companies were content with working in their corner. This period is over: today, due to globalisation and technological acceleration, no ambitious company can allow itself to run alone. To have its place in the world markets requires the development of ideas, competence, know-how and infrastructures at an increasing rapid pace. In this context, well chosen alliances can spare efforts often long and costly, required to acquire a critical mass. It is this irreversible movement that is described in this work translated from American. The authors -Yves Doz is professor at the Insead, Gary Hamel teaches at Harvard and the London Business School- analyse the nature, the stakes and the constraints of new alliances (is many of them trip up or fail, it is because too many leaders have not understood that we are no longer in the times of traditional joint ventures…), by deducing the operational rules and advice that form a true strategic guide. On the basis of concrete examples, they consider the most delicate issues such as the possible conflicts of interest (today the ally can be the rival of tomorrow), reciprocal training, the sometimes blurred border between partnership and competition.
(LD)
*** HERMANN SIMON, FLORENT JACQUET, FRANCK BRAULT: La Stratégie Prix. Agir sur le prix pour optimiser le résultat. Dunon (see details above). "Stratégie et management" collection. 2000, 361 pages. ISBN 2-10-004720-5.
Specialised consultants, the authors of the work provide elements of nature to enable to develop a pricing policy integrating the best techniques. Thus they pass one by one in review the price fixing methods, the price differentiation following the structures and markets, the upheaval brought by the Internet, e-commerce, globalisation and the introduction of the Euro.
(LD)
*** FREDERIC VENDEUVRE, PHILIPPE BEAUPRE: Gagner de Nouveaux Clients. La prospection efficace. Dunod (see details above). "Fonctions de l'entreprise" collection. 2000, 220 pages. ISBN 2-10-004719-1.
Work of experts, this book covers the art and ways, for a company, to win new clients through a effective and continuous dynamic, numerous techniques and methods are put forward.
(LD)
*** In Europa. Dalla New Economy alla Wise Economy. Erga Direct (52 R via Biga, I-16144 Genoa. Fax: (39-10) 8328799 - Email: edizioni@ecga.it). 2000, N° 2, 64 pages, ITL 15,000.
In Europa mainly dedicated to the theme of the new economy, with in particular an article by Ezio Andreta, Director at the European Commission, who recalls, if need be, that we must not believe that the new economy is only "Internet and e-economy", and who underlines that one of the aims of the new economy must be the transition to the Wise Economy, with a new economy dominated by growth and managed through "wisdom", where… also competitively becomes sustainable, since it is capable of producing the wealth and also well being without destroying". Among the other articles, let us cite that of Giorgio Ruffolo, MEP, on a new deal of the European Union, a new deal for research, training, basic public infrastructure.
(MG)
*** UNITED NATIONS (CH-1211 Geneva. Tel: (41-22) 917 26 15 - Fax: 917 00 27 - E-mail: unpubli@unog.ch) have published the following documents:
- Common destiny, new will. Annual report of the 2000 Organisation. September 2000, 147 pages. ISBN 92-1-200247-1. The Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan presents his assessment and indicates notably what the international Community can do in order to raise the existence of that left for dead. The report reviews all of the missions undertaken by the UN (ensure peace and security, humanitarian missions, cooperation for development, international legal order and human rights…). From this stems a reflection on the tragedies of Srebrenica, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.
- We the people. The role of the United Nations in the 21st Century. April 2000, 89 pages. USD 10. ISBN 92-1-200245-5. During the first 45 years of its existence, the standoff of the Cold War, the UN was prevented from accomplishing certain essential missions. Once the lessons drawn from the past, its future is centred on three factors: eradicate poverty, free from fear and prepare a sustainable future by protecting the soils, managing the water crisis and creating new ethical rules to govern the planet. A future that goes via the renovation of the Organisation: computer connections and "quiet revolution".
*** EUROPEAN COMMISSION - DG Economy and Financial Affairs: European Economy. Distributed by the sales network of the EC Office of Official Publications (L-2985 Luxembourg). Annual subscription (2 issues, 3 reports and the special editions): EUR 190. Web site: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/economy-finance. 2000, N°1, 153 pages.
Under the heading "Report on the implementations of the 1999 broad economic policy guidelines", this issue assesses the efficiency of guidelines in terms of economic policy. Adopted for the first time in 1993, their importance grows given the weakness of the Euro and the conclusions of the European Councils of Lisbon and Helsinki. This report is divided into two parts. The first, an assessment of the success achieved by the 1999 guidelines. The second is an assessment for each of the Member countries of the enforcement of the general and regional policies. These assessments are based on several reference criteria: products and services, external economy and relations within and outside the EU.
*** Septentrion. Stichting Ons Erfdeel (260, Murissonstraat, B-8930, Rekkem. Tel: (32-56) 41 12 01 - Fax: 41 47 07 - Internet: http://www.onserfdeel.be ). September 2000, 29th year, N°3, 96 pages. Annual subscription: EUR 32.85.
In summary of this quarterly dedicated to the arts, literature and culture of Flanders and the Netherlands: L'ars Nova de Rogier van der Weyden-de la Pasture, "The desire of the lost tail" or the recent poetry of the Dutch language, his obsession with eternity and millennium fever, "From the passive provident State to the active social State" (the changes made via pensions and health insurance), "Each follows his vice: the work of Renate Dorrenstein", "the various faces of the Rijksmuseum", the 575 years of the Catholic University of Leuven, the deconstructed past of Hugo Claus, "Abdelkader Benali: intercultural honeymoon ", "Arno French style " and the present view of Flanders.
Economic reviews in short
*** Dipco. Rome, October 2000, N° 30. In summary: the speech by Prime Minister Giuliano Amato to the Millennium summit, world report on development 2000-2001 and the economic situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. *** Finnfacts. Helsinki, 2000, N° 3. In summary: increase in profitability and productivity via e-commerce, the growing importance of steel in construction, nuclear power on the agenda in Finland and the first bio-companies floated on the markets. *** BBL: Bulletin financier. Brussels, October 2000, N° 2358. This review by the BBL questions the slowing of the Belgian economy and the economic crisis in Japan. *** KBC: Courrier économique et financier. Brussels, September 2000, N° 8. In summary: China about to turn, the Asian crisis (really over?), the consequences of the rise in oil prices on the Belgian economy. *** Amcham. Brussels, October 2000, N° 535. In summary: The rise in crime, the food safety organisation, trade crimes and security on the net. *** Forces. Quebec, 2000, N° 126. This review shows off electricity, "world symbol of modernity", for which it enlightens the stakes and trends.