*** WERNER WEIDENFELD (Ed): Nizza in der Analyse. Strategien für Europa. Verlag Bertelsmann Stiftung (256 Carl-Bertelsmann-Str., Postfach 103, D-33311 Gütersloh. Tel: (49-5241) 8170 - Fax: 816677 - E-mail: info@bertelsmann-stiftung.de - Internet: http://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de ). 2001, 352 pp. ISBN 3-89204-569-0.
This very detailed book provides an in-depth analysis, both strategic and critical, of the Nice Treaty. Published by a powerful thinktank, the Bertelsmann Foundation, and containing contributions by researchers at the renowned Centrum für angewandte Politikforschung (Applied Political Research Centre) of the University of Munich, this excellently written book forms part of a tradition of which is preceded by "Maastricht en analyse" (1994) and "Amsterdam en analyse" (1998). The principal subjects it tackles are obviously the context in which the Nice Treaty was agreed, as well as the historic challenges to meet in its wake - institutional reforms and changes to the decision-making process. These include strengthened co-operation in the market arena, a common security and defence policy and the birth of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, not to mention about enlargement.
Nice is not enough. Professor Werner Weidenfeld's initially describes it as nothing more than an intermediary stage in European integration. As well as producing this book, Weidenfeld is also Director of the CAP. He believes that the Treaty was dominated by national interests and did not effectively or significantly prepare the Union for enlargement. Weidenfeld claims that again ignoring the aspect of European solidarity was the Nice Treaty's greatest shortcoming… and without the unceasingly reminder of a common European destiny, a united Europe will be unable to overcome the traces of its divided past. Claus Giering's contribution provides a detailed analysis of the institutional and decision-making provisions of the Treaty, as well as some graphs that clarify the possible majority constellations and coalitions at the Council. His balance sheet of Nice is a mixed one for there are at least some institutional improvements. He considers the post-Nice process as an opportunity for revitalising European integration by crowning it with a constitutional make-up. Josef Janning maintains that strengthened co-operation will remain an exception to the rule despite new Nice Treaty provisions that aim to facilitate its application. In his opinion, differentiation will continue to remain a dominant issue in the political debate on Europe's future. A possible field in which strengthened co-operation might be applied, according to Franco Algieri, would be common foreign policy and the Union's defence and security policy - especially in military aspects. Tania Bossi describes the elaboration of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and points out that the Convention methods that have been applied since its existence constitute a useful alternative in the debate regarding the solution of political issues. The final contribution focuses on enlargement, with Janis Emmanouilidis pointing out that overall, the results of Nice are satisfactory to the candidate countries, despite a few unfair decisions that can be rectified during the negotiation process. He particularly welcomes the fact that these countries will be associated to the post-Nice reform process.
A detailed chronology of the events and developments that occurred between the European Council of Amsterdam in 1997 and the signing of the Nice Treaty in February 2001 enriches this book, which is also accompanied by a CD-ROM that provides lengthy documentation on the positions and official documents of the Intergovernmental Conference in 2000. A very comprehensive book, which in one way constitutes an ideal introduction to the new amended process that will be announced in December with the Declaration of Laeken.
Peter Bender
*** BRIAN HINDLEY: Nice and after. The EU Treaty and associated issues. Centre for Policy Studies (57 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL. Tel: (44-020) 72224488 -fax: 72224388 - E-mail: mail@cps.org.uk - Internet: http://www.cps.org.uk ). 2001, 39 pp, £7.50. ISBN 1-903219-31-0.
A consultant in trade policy and emeritus Professor of Economics and Trade Policy at the London School of Economics, Brian Hindley has published an article with the provocative title, "What's the point of the Nice Treaty" pointing out the Treaty's inconsistencies. He points out that it does not deal with enlargement; that institutional "reform" only gives Germany (and only Germany!) more power to block proposals; and that the scrapping of the national veto does not affect any vital area as far as Member States are concerned. The author concludes that the Treaty will only be important if the Charter of Fundamental Rights is given legal status and if the European Rapid Reaction Force actually becomes a prototype European army. In the run-up to a "constitutional conference" scheduled for 2004, when the first round of new Member States joins the Union, Hindley believes the EU will be faced with such bitter disagreements that it will be necessary to decide "who wants what from Europe". The author concludes on an optimistic note: "Everything should be much clearer by 2005".
(CB)
*** YVES MENY: Tra utopia e realtà. Una costituzione per l´Europa. Passigli Editori (62 via Chiantigiana, I-50011 Florence-Antella. Tel: (39-055) 640265 - Fax: 644627 - E-mail: passiglieditori@tin.it). 2000, 190 pp. ISBN 88-368-0654-6.
The future of the Union and the plan to "constitutionalise" European integration are giving rise to dialogue. The famous Director of the Robert Schuman Centre at the European University Institute of Florence, Prof. Yves Mény, chose this literary form as the structure for his latest book entitled "Between utopia and reality, a constitution for Europe" with a preface by the former Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato. In an interview with the journalist Renzo Cassigoli from "L'Unità", Prof. Mény discusses the great themes in the European integration process: historical origins, the objectives Europe is heading towards, the European social model, culture, fundamental rights, globalisation, the future for democracy, etc. As on would expect, all this is discussed in an extremely intellectual fashion that will delight the reader. In conclusion, the book discusses the draft "Fundamental Treaty of the European Union" that was drafted by a research group from the Robert Schuman Centre upon the request of the European Parliament. Mény acknowledges that this document - which only incorporates 69 articles - is "imperfect and incomplete", adding that he would be "happy to subscribe to a more ambitious document". But at least the document has the merit of existing. And therefore being able to feed into the work of the upcoming Convention…
(PB)
*** HEINRICH NEISSER, BEA VERSCHRAEGHEN: Die Europäische Union. Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. Springer-Verlag (4-6 Sachsenplatz, P.O Box 89, A-1201 Vienna. Tel: (43-1) 3302415-0 - Fax: 3302426 - E-mail: springer@springer.at - Internet: http://www.springer.at ) "Springers Kurzlehrbücher der Rechtswissenschaft" series, No. XXIV. 2001, 409 pp, 495 öS. ISBN 3-211-83350-1.
The authors (both university professors in Austria - Heinrich Neisser was also a member of the Convention that drew up the European Charter of Fundamental Rights) hope with this book to inform their readers of the theory and practice of law in the Union. The work is very detailed and also covers the Nice Treaty, making it a good manual which lives up to the promise in the title of presenting the Union "between claims and reality" as a political and judicial community. The book is very clear and well designed and will not only be of use to law students, but also to a very wide readership interested in getting very detailed, effective and targeted information about the legal bases underlying various elements of European integration.
(PB)
*** PAUL WEBB, JUSTIN FISHER: Professionalising the Millbank Tendency: The Political Sociology of New Labour's Employees. Sussex European Institute (University of Sussex, Arts A Building, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SH. Tel: (44-01273) 678578 - Fax: 678571 - E-mail: sei@sussex.ac.uk). "Working Paper Series in Contemporary European Studies" series, No 47. 2001,31 pp, £6.
Political parties' ideologies, role and powers tend to be well known, as is the background of party members, leaders and members but what do people tend to know about the people who operate the party machinery? Very little. The research carried out by two university professors (Sussex and Brunel Universities) fills us in about the Labour Party. Their study takes a look at both the sociological aspect and individuals' personal convictions. It includes a bibliography.
(LD)
*** GUY THUILLIER: L'histoire en 2050. Comité pour l'Histoire économique et financière de la France (ministère français de l'Economie, des Finances et de l'Industrie - 6 av. de l'Opéra, F- 75001 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 44775264 - Fax: 44775298). 2000, 304 pp, 18.29 euro, 120 FF. ISBN 2-11-091057-7.
Guy Thuillier is the Director of the Ecole pratique des Hautes études in France where he teaches history of administration, and in this book he makes brilliant use of both his historian's and his philosopher's pen in an intellectual exercise… that raises some perplexing issues. As François Monnier explains in the preface, it is a "very complicated book that makes one think about what one prefers not to see", which is a "difficult and even dangerous" exercise giving rise to a "subversive" book because while it is difficult to predict the future, we are free to dream about it"… Starting with a voluntaristic approach - "one can do things if one decides to" - Guy Thuillier uses the fifteen essays in the book to demonstrate that this more than an abstract idea. He believes in history that moves and bubbles and outlines the possible changes and incertitude surrounding it. The author believes that history is "rather disordered; there is no model or continuity"… The broad outline of his approach is predicated on four theories, namely 'obsolescence, history that has still to be born, historical engineering and likelihood. As François Monnier writes, "each of these theories is subversive in itself and the entire volume is designed to challenge certainties, destabilise and increase perplexity".
History mutates and is flexible and uncertain: nobody can be sure about what will occur in half a century's time, argues Guy Thuillier, who sees forecasting methods as fluid. He acknowledges that predictions cannot reasonably extend beyond 2010-2015, but if we want to think about 2050, we are forced to take a different view of the present.
The author also applies his forecasting skills to European history. He asserts that while nobody can say what is going to happen in 2030 or 2040, it is likely all the same that particular attention will be paid to European history, which is connected, however, with certain risks: the temptation to level out and erase differences, the temptation to be biased and only see the points of convergence, the differences in historical sensitivity between the different countries and an assessment of the weight of history in the different regions in European history. In conclusion, the author particularly believes that by the year 2050, the situation surrounding the production of history may well vary considerably from now which makes it a necessity for us today to make the necessary intellectual investment and encourage young people to move towards "European cooperation".
(CB)
*** GERARD BOSSUAT: Les aides américaines économiques et militaires à la France, 1938-1960. Une nouvelle image des rapports de puissance. Comité pour l'histoire économique et financière (voir coordonnées supra). "Histoire économique et financière de la France" series 2001, 406 pp, 22.87 euro, 150 FF. ISBN 2-11-091050-X.
The history of US aid to France from 1938 to 1960 reflects the borader aid pictuer for France during the 20th century - a great European power in decline. From 1941 to 1951, France wanted US aid in order to improve its lifestyle and rebuild production facilities that were worth their salt. It then requested aid to maintain its stronghold in Indochina and North Africa. This dependent state may well be painful for the French to accept, but it is a reality whose consequences can still be felt today. After all, the French still talk about "US interference" and as a reaction to that, about "the French exception and European identity". What role did the US aid play in rebuilding France economically, socially and militarily after the Second World War and beyond into the 1960s? US aid was as much requested as it was hidden throughout this time period by the actors on the French political stage and the aid merits an overview. Professor of contemporary history at the Université de Cergy-Pontoise and a renowned specialist in the European projects of the twentieth century, Gérard Bossuat gives us a very condense essay, analysing and emphasising the key role played in this area too, by Jean Monnet. As the author explains, the history of US aid is "the history of France's relations with the US and with other European countries", which speaks volumes about "the reduced place in Europe… in the middle of the twentieth century" of the "land of the greatest intellectual, cultural and scientific innovations in the history of mankind"…
(LD)
*** L'Europe, je veux savoir. Editions Luc Pire (37-39 quai aux Pierres de Taille, B-1000 Brussels. E-mail: editions@lucpire.be). 2001, 180 pp. ISBN 2-87415-069-X.
This little practical guide, full of amusing illustrations, is the result of a good initiative by the Belgian Foreign Ministry to outline how the European Union functions, describe its activities and its institutions using 110 questions and answers.
(MT)
*** EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg) has published the following documents:
*** The Magazine. Education and Culture in Europe. DG Education and Culture (Internet: europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/education_culture). 2001, No 14, 39 pp.
Overcoming obstacles to mobility, creating the conditions for extending skills and constructing a genuine single market for both individuals and companies… These are the objectives pursued by the Directorate-General for Education and Culture. Its principle tool: getting round the language barrier that stops citizens from travelling and setting up in another EU Member State. Programmes like Socrates (which will this year see the millionth Erasmus student), Leonardo da Vinci and the "European Voluntary Service" are helping to extend mobility and the acquisition of new skills. The programmes are outlined in this issue of the magazine.
*** The Common Agricultural Policy. Joint report 2000. DG Agriculture (Internet: http: //europa.eu.int). 2001, 34 pp. ISBN 92-894-1634-3.23p.
With Agenda 2000, one of the biggest reforms to the CAP was launched in 2000, aiming to bring agriculture closer into line with reality in terms of the markets, the environment and consumers. "The new CAP is not like the old one", warns Commissioner Fischler. For the first time, plans are obliged to incorporate specific agri-environmental programmes which were only optional in the past. This publication looks at agricultural policy in the year 2000 from the point of view of the market, rural development, environmental protection, funding, enlargement, and more.
*** Actualités des Services Publics en Europe. Lettre des entreprises européennes de réseau. ASPE Europe (36 rue de Laborde, F-75008 Paris - Tel: (33-1) 48876891 - E-mail: aspe@club-internet.fr ). October 2001, No. 82, 16 pp. Subscription: 490 euro.
This monthly European network services publication covers: "Europe's research into the future of services of general interest", "Transport: towards fair pricing?", "French households pay the cost of water", "Companies support the enlargement process", "Higher levels of floods and drought in Europe", "Requiring cable operators to accept specific channels and services", and finally "An unprecedented crisis is hitting the aviation industry".
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (1 av. Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison, RCS Nanterre. Tel: (33-1) 41299991 - Internet: http://www.liaisons-sociales.com ). October 2001, No. 40, 8 pp. Subscription: 487.84 euro, 3,200 FF.
Some of the areas covered in this issue: "The end of European citizenship with flexible outlines", "The ruling by the Tribunal de Grande Instance on the Marks & Spencer case", "Interprofessional negotiations from 12 October onwards", and most importantly, an article on the quality of employment (which is under threat in Europe from the economic crisis) and which this review sees as involving greater security throughout one's career.
*** Eipascope. European Institute for Public Administration (PO Box 1229, 6201 BE Maastricht - Tel: (31-43) 3296222 - Fax: 3296296 - Internet: http://www.eipa.nl ). 2001, No. 2, 60 pp.
Published three times a year, this newsletter is a tool used by the Maastricht institute to raise public awareness about current European issues and provide information about EU activities. This issue includes articles on the asylum and immigration conundrum, the reform of the EU's competition policy and the Security and Defence policy. The publication can also be accessed from the web.
National reviews in brief
*** Transversales. Science - Culture. 2001, No. 69, Paris. This special issue includes articles with the self-explanatory titles: "Bioethics, where the review goes too far", "Comments on Neither God nor Genes", "From the chaos of market capitalism to the first hints of a new world", "Treating AIDS: associations are mobilising and sufferers gaining", "Should food boycotts be supported?", "What if civil society invested in finance?", "Italy: women seize the moment", "People invite themselves to Quebec Summit", "Radical reforms of the economy", "On producing mass culture", "What's the point of art? To announce the worst!" *** Slovenia weekly. September 2001, No. 11, Ljubljana. Denationalisation reaches its final phase in Slovenia, opening the door to accession.