*** DICK LEONARD, MARK LEONARD (Ed.): The Pro-European Reader. The Foreign Policy Centre (Elizabeth House, 39 York Road London SE1 7NQ). 2002,254 pp. ISBN 0-333-97721-1.
Europhile father and son, Dick and Mark Leonard, have proved their European credentials for many years now. In 1971, Dick was one of the 69 Labour MPs in the House of Commons who defied the Labour whip and voted in favour of the UK joining the European Community. At a very young age and well before Tony Blair's remarkable speech in Birmingham recently on Britain's lost opportunities in Europe (Tony Blair, we note in passing, along with Robin Cook, started off as a member of the Foreign Policy Centre that Mark now heads), Mark launched a debate on the new reasons for taking a full part in the European project. Dick and Mark Leonard are contributing to this debate, which has taken on even more relevance in recent years, through a collection of articles selected by the pair of them, the choice of which displays their understanding and knowledge of both their own country and of Europe across the generations (Mark was only a young boy when his father moved to Brussels as a correspondent for The Economist, where he is still working). The collection naturally includes the "big texts" - Churchill's Zurich speech in 1946; extracts from Robert Schuman's press conference of 9 May 1950; Jean Monnet's comments on why Europe needed the British to join, etc. Whether they are British or another nationality, convinced Europeans find their place in this volume (Heath, Schmidt, Veil, Delors and, closer to our own epoch, Prodi), but so do Europeans despite themselves (Harold Wilson's "we mean business" from 1967, a few years after the pro-European argument made at the 1962 Labour Party conference by another Labour MP, Roy Jenkins, whose speech was greeted by an "icy silence" from most of the conference delegates). Labour's move towards accepting Europe (moving in the opposite direction to the Tories) is echoed in these extracts from Anthony Crosland's speech to the European Parliament on behalf of the British Presidency in January 1977 ("we are now inextricably involved" he said, even back then), the speech by Neil Kinnock in Berlin in 1989, or Tony Blair's speech at the award ceremony when he was presented with the Charlemagne Prize in 1999. In terms of the Conservatives, the famous Bruges speech by Margaret Thatcher in 1988 is presented in a more nuanced fashion than usual by Dick and Mark Leonard, who point out that before she became the "Iron Lady", Mrs Thatcher has played an important part in the campaign for a Yes vote in the 1975 referendum, aware that her personal schizophrenia on the question of Europe was a hefty metaphor for the deep divisions within her own party.
This collection of articles does not, however, only look to the past and to politicians. In the last two sections, on "Why" Europe is important in the 21st century, and the daily reality of Europe, over and above politics, the book recounts a vision of Europe more directly connected to its citizens (Mark Leonard wrote an essay on the Network Europe in 1990 which was an attempt at this); a Europe of cities, cinema, literature (with a speech by Milan Kundera) and even football… The book was put together well before 11 September 2001, but it also looks at the issue of European identify and Islam in an illuminating chapter by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, a researcher at the Foreign Policy Centre, who points out that the number of Muslims living in the European Union is estimated to total around 17 million and that a "new Muslim intellectual movement" is being formed in Europe. She feels that in order to create a truly integrated Europe, the energy and talent of Muslim cultures has to be taken on board in Europe's new identity. Marina Gazzo
*** SONA RAJANI: Die Geltung und Anwendung des Gemeinschaftsrechts im Vereinigten Königreich von Grossbritannien und Nordirland.Der Grundstaz der Parlamentssouveränität im Wandel. Peter Lang (15 Jupiterstrasse 15, CH-3000 Berne 15 - Fax: (41-31) 9402131). Collection "Studien zum vergleichenden und internationalen Recht - Comparative and International Law Studies", No. 55. 2000, 262 pp. ISBN 3)631-36938-7.
As happens whenever any new Member State joins the fold, when the United Kingdom joined the European Community in 1973, the question of the conflict between Community law and national law was raised. The particular characteristics of British constitutional law made this task trickier than for other countries, making it more difficult to wholly and rapidly integrate EU law. Almost thirty years later, one might be forgiven for thinking that all the legal problems connected with the UK becoming part of the European Union would have been settled. Some decisions, like the "Factorame" procedure that caused so much controversy in the UK at the beginning of the 1990s, prove, however, that not all constitutional questions have been satisfactorily answered. The unique traditional structure of the British constitutional system - like the lack of a written constitution and Parliament's absolute sovereignty ("Parliament can make and unmake any law whatsoever") - have the effect that the United Kingdom still has more problems than its partners in adapting to the European mould.
As far as British constitutionalists are concerned, their country's constitution stands out by its high level of flexibility, but in terms of integrating Community law into the British legal structure, this assumption is losing credibility. In the other Member States, whose constitutions are in written form in a code, the idea that the constitution can be amended is broadly accepted. The legal system in the United Kingdom, however, means that as a result of stability based on continuity, even the slightest change has to be taken with utmost caution. This means that the formal level of flexibility is actually a barrier to reform. Against this backdrop, how can Community law take precedence over national law? This is the big question raised by the author, pointing out that the issue has been referred to the courts responsible for applying Community law. Given the significant role played by the judge in formulating and developing law in the Anglo-Saxon legal system, this looks like a standard procedure. It is the "Factorame" procedure that is the key test for the British within the Community legal system at the end of the day. With "Factorame", the British courts were unable to avoid a clash with Community law and the other Member States awaited the outcome of the procedure with bated breath. Sona Rajanide's in-depth analysis reveals that at the end of the day, the courts prioritised Community law. The author outlines in the book how the decision was taken, how is was justified by the courts in legal terms and the significance and impact in the modern world of the British principle of sovereignty for the Houses of Parliament. (CB)
*** Espana-Portugal Horizonte 2010. Perfil de Portugal. Politica Exterior (6 Padilla, 28006 Madrid. Tel: (34-91) 4312628 - Fax: 5777252 - E-mail: politicaexterior@infornet.es) and Fundación Rei Afonso Henriques (2671 avda. Da Boavista, 4150 Porto. Tel: (351-22) 6158527). 2001, 158 pp, 4.57 euro, ISBN 84-88025-34-3.
This publication gives an outline of the deliberations concerning the characterisation of Portugal at the study day organised in Madrid in October of last year. The Iberian peninsula has a total of some fifty million inhabitants in Spain and Portugal which are so puzzlingly distinct. The average Spaniard in the street only knows his neighbour through the country's tourist and trade attractions. But relations between the two countries are constantly changing, which raises the question of how things will stand in ten years time. The authors try to answer the question by giving more than a simple economic forecast, looking at variables connected with the social, cultural and political character of Portugal, which in turn focus and determine how the economic stakeholders who want to cross the border will behave. Other articles expose the common origins of the two countries and give an insight into the current level of co-operation in the political, economic and cultural fields. The book also illustrates the manner in which the various organisations in the two countries fail to facilitate change and speed up the process of the two countries coming together, despite the fact that this process is essential if the Iberian peninsula is to confirm its competitive position within the single European market. (LD)
*** ALESSANDRO TRUINI: Federalismo e Regionalismo in Italia e in Europa. Centro e periferie a confronto. Cedam (Padua). 2001, 440 pp, 25.31 euro, 49,000 lira. ISBN 88-13-23231-4.
Professor in private and regional institutional law at the Political Science Faculty of the University of Rome III, Alessandro Truini explores the basic relationship between Italy's political centre and in the light of the recent debate in the Italian parliament (that brought the 13th legislature to a close). The book starts with an assessment of general theory and a consideration of the institutional solutions that prevail in other European countries, from Switzerland, via Germany, Austria, Belgium and Spain to the United Kingdom, looking therefore at solutions that are both more and less developed than in Italy in an attempt to deal with the issue of decentralisation at the political level. (CB)
*** OLIVIER MOUTON, MARIE-ANNE WILSSENS, FREDERIC ANTOINE, MARC REYNEBEAU (Ed.): Belgique, un état d'esprit. Editions Racine (Brussels). 2001, 207 pp. ISBN 2-87386-248-3.
This book, "Belgium - a state of mind" was also published in Dutch (by Uitgeverij Lannoo), German (Grenz Echo Verslag) and English to mark the occasion of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers (which is now drawing to a close). Belgians tend to avoid the limelight, but this book's authors are an exception to the rule, proud to show off their country and its citizens. Each writer gives a highly individual reading of "this complicated little bit of Europe". Flicking through, we find the description: "In Belgium, we don't all share the same views. This diversity is our greatest trump card; our creativity is our primary raw material; our non-conformism is our greatest virtue". Belgium is also a permanent laboratory for Europe as a whole, and this is illustrated through three great high-prestige Europeans - the Socialist Paul-Henri Spaak; the Christian Socialist Pierre Harmel; and the Liberal Jean Rey. All Belgian citizens are either Flemmings, Walloons, "Brusselaers", German-speakers or recently naturalised "new Belgians". As a result of this cohabitation, the little country of Belgium is a marvellous illustration of the nature of the European Union, which is also constantly developing. Situated at the heart of Europe, Belgium acts as a crossroads shaped by a multicultural tradition. In this book, the authors outline a balanced vision of contemporary Belgium.
*** JÖRG TEUBER: Interessenverbände und Lobbying in der Europäischen Union. Peter Lang (see above). "Europäische Hochschulschriften" series. 2001, 167 pp. ISBN 3-631-37318-X.
There is a wealth of literature focusing on interest and lobbying groups, looking at the theory underlying them and how they fit into political systems. Given the increasingly important role of the European Union, however, the subject area of how various interests are represented at EU level has not yet been exhausted and this encouraged Jörg Teuber to undertake not only an+ up-to-date analysis of the influence of interest groups in Europe, looking at case studies in different industries, but also to weigh up how the groups are presented, their structure, activities and issues at the purely European level. After outlining the political structure and procedures of the European political system, the author looks at effective lobbying itself. He notes that the European Union is not characterised only one system for representing interest groups, incorporating both individualist and pluralist aspects (although the latter tend to hold sway). The number of interest groups represented in Brussels has increased considerably with the acceleration of European integration from 1986 onwards, which has in turn led to a greater lack of transparency. (CB)
*** PETER H. GOMMERS: Europe, What's in a name?. Geography, Myths, Arts. Leuven University Press (5 Blijde-Inkomststraat, B-3000 Leuven. E-mail: university.press@upers.kuleuven.ac.be). 2001, 224 pp, 58 euro, 2,340 BEF. ISBN 90-5867-149-6.
Such a wealth of knowledge… The author of this book freely vents his broad erudition without ever becoming dull. At a time when so many writers are looking at the future of Europe, it is useful to go back over the 3000 or so year history of the continent to see where Europe originates. Peter Gommers, formerly a high ranking European Commission official, starts by looking at the actual name "Europe", already used by Eratosthenes (276-196 BC) to designate the country where the Greeks lived. Where does the name come from? Specialists are still divided over the question, so the author outlines the different hypotheses. What is the link between the name known by geographers and the myth of Europe, the Phoenician princess carried off by Zeus, a myth that appeared in the Odysseus (in the eighth century BC)? Herodotus admitted with honesty that he had no idea, and we have know little more today. The author prudently gives his own opinion. Far from restricting himself of the geographical, historical and linguistic excerpts that make up the first part of the book, he goes on to show how, from one epoch to the next, from Antiquity to modern times, "Europe" has inspired such a breadth of artists and men of letters. The articles have been carefully selected and accompanied by magnificent illustrations, well referenced illustrations, making this detailed volume a delightful book to read or receive. (J-RR)
*** Rules on Parliamentary Immunity in the European Parliament and the Member States of the European Union. European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation (European Parliament, ASP 5D51, rue Wiertz, B-1047 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2844560 - Fax: 2849005). 2001, 55 pp. This publication outlines the rules on parliamentary immunity at the European Parliament itself and in each of the Member States.
(MT)
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg) has published the following document:
*** Le Magazine de l'éducation et de la culture. DG Education et Culture (E-mail: eac-info@cec.eu.int - Internet: europa.eu.int/euro). No. 15, 2001. 20pp.
A new springboard for European youth is the message of the new White Paper published by the Commission. This is the message given in this reformatted magazine which continues with its traditional aim of providing information for young people in order to stimulate their interest in current affairs. This ambition is particularly welcome now that Europe is on the threshold of enlargement of an unprecedented scale in the era of globalisation and where European identity and cultural diversity must be the catalysts of people coming together. The contents include: Are young people fulfilling their role? (President of the European Youth Forum); the Eurobarmometer surveys of young Europeans' opinions; university as a privileged debating arena; unemployment among young people in Europe - escaping from the paradox; and learning to become European by immersing oneself in another culture.
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (1 av. Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel: (33-1) 41299991 - Fax: 299670 - Internet: http://www.liaisons-sociales ). 2001, No. 44, 12 pp.
"Goodbye social tourism, hello social negotiation" is the headline of this magazine that provides a survey of debates concerning the European Works Council. The other sections look at refocusing the bankruptcy direction on protecting workers, Belgium's draft legislation on creating a social label, worker information and consultation in the Netherlands and cutting the working week in hotel and catering.
*** Revue du marché commun et de l'Union européenne. Editions techniques et économiques (3 rue Soufflot, F-75 005 - Paris. Fax: (33-1) 55426139 - E-mail: editecom@starnet.fr). December 2001, No. 453. 718 pp.
In summary: The European Central Bank changes its policy; Philadelphia miracle; From the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights to the Constitutional Charter; Banking secrecy, tax evasion and money laundering in Europe, diversification by sector versus geographical diversification and making the most of financial assets in the eurozone; Survey of education in Europe; OLAF and the authorities -how to repress Community fraud? and Community insurance and taxation.
*** Actualité des Services Publics en Europe. Lettre des entreprises européennes de réseaux. ASPE (36 rue de Laborde - F-75008 Paris - Fax: (33-1) 43876891 - aspe@club-internet.fr). December 2001, No. 84. EUR 490 for annual subscription.
This issue concentrates on cities, regions and transport policy. It also informs us that parliaments are partly liberalising port services and looks at issues such access to the telecommunications market remaining problematic in the run-up to the new regulatory framework; the challenges and crossroads ahead after the first phase of liberalising the gas and electricity markets; whether GALILEO will be economically viable and new regulations covering aircraft noise emissions.
*** OECD Observer. OECD (2 rue Andre-Pascal, F-75775 Paris. Fax: (33-1) 45248200 - E-mail: observer@ocde.org - Internet: http://www.observateurocde.org ). No. 228, 60 pp. Subscription: EUR 43.
Main subjects covered: Globalisation as a question of balance, Successful co-operation, Globalisation with a human face, The politics of globalisation circa 1773, What are global public goods?, Brazil - more than simply potential, The slippery slope of taxation, Development choices, World governance in the era of participation, GMOs - the social, health and scientific challenges, 1000 years of globalisation, Was is no more than a cyberdream? and the global planet.
Reviews in brief
*** Carrefour de l'Economie, No.10, 2001, Brussels. This publication from the Belgian Economic Affairs Ministry looks at the harmonised consumer price index and the economic and social aspects of the information society. *** CATO. Policy Report, No.6, November/December, 2001, Washington, D.C. Looking at, inter alia, "US values under threat".