*** INES TREPANT: Pour une Europe citoyenne et solidaire. L'Europe des traités dans la vie quotidienne. De Boeck (39, rue des Minimes, B-1000 Brussels). "Bibliothèque du droit social" series, 1st édition. 2002, 235 pp. ISBN: 2-8041-4128-4
Despite the desire to establish a political Europe straight away, the Rome Treaty limits itself to creating a common market, leaving it to states to decide whether or not to establish a genuine plan for society involving the people the prescriptive framework is aimed at, namely citizens. In terms of employment, this situation characterised the history of the European project until the beginning of the nineties. At present, it is basic ally a matter of coordinating national policies. "Everyone is master is their own home", writes the author. In parallel, one notes that coordination of national economic policies consists of establishing budget discipline, guided by the sacrosanct roadmap of the Stability and Growth Pact. The author writes that this will contribute to making Europe incapable of "breaking the deadlock on dossiers that have a direct impact on employment at European level", such as investment policy or restoring the prestige of public policy in the regulation of the markets and budget harmonisation. And although she does not look in detail at "the challenge of an organisation of Europe's economy that is coherent with the full employment targets", she does consider three substantial issues in depth, namely taxation, the Structural Funds and the non-profit making sector. Inès Trépant finally outlines changes in social Europe in a description and analysis of the legislative tool and the infamous "social dialogue".
Hence the author analyses political, legal and regulatory progress, from Rome to Nice, that has helped establish a "citizens' Europe". She does this by exploring three areas: employment, social policy and citizenship. For each of these three areas, she highlights the limits Europe has set itself, along with its duties and targets. Choosing a politically committed interpretation of the Europe of the Treaties from the viewpoint of daily life, she highlights the subtle difference between "European citizenship", "consubstantial with the search for a political federation implying the feeling of belonging and participating", and the idea of "a citizens' Europe", "with which European Union leaders and experts are attempting to bring the EU closer to daily life".
At the end of her research, Inès Trépant reveals the persistent imbalance between the management of the currency and the market that has been taken on and the inability to establish social connections and solidarity or determining Europe's role in the world. This leads Philippe Herzog, Member of the European Parliament and writer of the preface, to note that the author "is right to assert that strengthening citizens' feeling of belonging to the European project will involve building a strong social Europe with a clear definition of social objectives in the Treaties". Inès Trépant is a graduate in international politics who holds a Masters in European policy. She works on citizenship issues at the European Parliament.
(AD)
*** MATHIAS JOPP, HEINRICH SCHNEIDER, UWE SCHMALZ (Editors): Germany's European Policy: Perceptions in Key Partner Countries. Europa Union Verlag GmbH (Bonn, Germany). 2002, 280 pp. ISBN 3-7713-0611-6.
This book is part of the second volume in a research project on German European policy since unification. In the first volume, the question of continuity and/or change in German post unification policy is analysed in a certain number of key areas of Community policy on the basis of significant changes both on the national and international scenes. This volume tackles the issue as perceived from the outside by analysing the way Germany's European policy is seen by its main partner countries. Overall, the message of the book is positive: Germany is regarded as continually striving to develop integration, multilateralism and strengthen the institutions. It is only in some countries where the social elites see Germany as a domineering force in Europe. But Germany is seen by far more as a "builder of bridges", a mediator between East and West, North and South and small and large countries in Europe. Although there is a widespread belief that Germany is a profoundly Europeanised country, Germany is now equally considered as a "normal" country, in other words a country that is oriented to defending its own interests, interests that don't always coincide with those of its partners.
(MF)
*** ESTHER BARBE, FRANCESC MORATA (Editors): La Presidencia Española de la Union Europea y el futuro de Europa. Institut Universitari d'Estudis Europeus (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Edifici E-1, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain. Tel: (34-93) 5812016 - Fax: 5813063 - E-mail: Ines.Humet@uab.es). 2002, 63 pp, Euro 6.01. ISBN 84-95201-10-0.
On 15 and 16 March 2002, a few days before the European Council of Barcelona, the European Institute of European Studies at the Autonomous University of Barcelona organised a "Science Day" where experts from the academic community, together with politicians and government representatives debated the current situation in European construction. The day was entitled, "The Spanish Presidency of the European Union and the future of Europe" clearly reflected its objectives: analysis of the European agenda in view of future problems and proposals of the Spanish Presidency. Morning sessions focussed on the Convention, enlargement and the Union's position in the world; afternoon sessions centred on the Barcelona Summit and more concretely on sustainable development within the Union's agenda. This short newsletter takes up the contributions of the different contributors and provides a summary of the debates.
(MF)
*** DIETER FREIBURGHAUS (Ed.): Auf den Spuren des Föderalismus in der Schweiz und in Europa. Verlag Paul Haupt (Falkenplatz 14, CH-3001 Berne. E-mail: verlag@haupt.ch - Internet: http: //http://www.haupt.ch ). 2002, 144 pp, EUR 24.90, 38 CHF. ISBN 3-258-06535-7.
In search of European federalism… This book provides a Swiss perspective on this highly controversial issue that is still in the headlines when it comes to European integration. Professor of Politics at the Institut des hautes études en administration publique in Lausanne, Dieter Freiburghaus and his fellow contributors deal with the historical genesis of Swiss federalism, the federalist and regionalist ideas of Denis de Rougemont (an idealist philosopher, political author and European visionary hailing from Neuchâtel), power sharing within the European Union, and problems of research into federalism in politics faculties in Switzerland. This is all rounded off by a comparison of federalism and multilingualism in Switzerland and Belgium. The chapter on Denis de Rougemont (in French with a summary in German) is particularly worth reading - it outlines the intellectual development of the philosopher, from his starting point in personalism to his taking an interest in federalism and regionalism, along with his idea of a Europe of the regions. The section looking at the differences between Belgian federalism (centrifugal, bipolar, duplicate, asymmetrical) and Swiss federalism (centripetal, multi-polar, single, symmetrical) is also of obvious interest. Aiming at clarity, this short but condensed book explains to foreign readers the political, federal and localist psychology of Switzerland and clarifies the true (and false) myths about the Swiss Republic's political system in a postscript imbued with eurosceptical irony, polemical optimism and refreshing humour. A lively argument in favour of federalism based on the regions and diversity protected in common.
(PB)
*** YOURI DEVUYST: The European Union at the crossroads. An introduction to the EU's Institutional Evolution. Peter Lang (1, Moosstrasse, B.P. 350 , CH-2542 Pieterlen). Series "European Policy". 2002, 193 pp. ISBN: 90-5201-997-5
The book outlines the development of the European project, with he author focussing on the great steps in its history in his description of the structures of the current European Union and how they operate. Each Treaty is analysed in the light of the impact it was able to have on the political life of the Community. Resolutely contemporary, it provides the essential keys to understanding the challenges that structure today's debates against the backdrop of the work of the Convention and enlargement. The author has targetted his generalist, rich and readable book at readers who desire to discover (or rediscover) Europe. Youri Devuyst lectures in European affairs at the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels. Previously he worked in the Cabinet of former EU Commissioner Karel Van Miert and for three Belgian foreign ministers.
(AD)
*** WERNER WEIDENFELD, WOLFGANG WESSELS (Ed.): Europa von A bis Z. Taschenbuch der europäischen Integration. Europa Union Verlag (Bachstr. 32, D-53115 Bonn. Internet: http: //http://www.europa-union.de/buecher/ ). 2002, 464 pp, ISBN 3-7713-0605-1.
Still edited by two famous German political analysts, Werner Weidenfeld from Munich University and Wolfgang Wessels from Cologne University, this classic academic textbook on European integration is now in its eighth edition. Translated into twenty languages and with a total circulation of one million, the seven previous editions have been welcomed by countless researchers, students, teachers, officials and practitioners. Above all, it is the clear, straightforward design of this rapid access, reliable reference tool that explains the success of this publication, that strikes an appropriate balance between a practical lexicon in alphabetical order and a selection of essays by experts making analyses of different topics. It is also a useful compromise between an academic tome and a practical guidebook for a wider audience.
Starting with a panorama of the history of European integration up until the Nice Treaty and the prospects of a European identity in a European Union enlarged to 28 Member States, the most important topics and institutions are presented in a standardised manner in sixty or so lexicon entries of between two and ten pages, each proceeded by a box listing legal bases, objectives, official documents and brief bibliographical references and websites. This is followed by a large number of more specialised European integration key words, explained at less length in forty or so pages. This eminently useful publication compiled by more than forty professors, researchers and practitioners is supplemented by an annex of statistics, a detailed chronology and a description of European construction websites arranged by theme. To sum up, "Europa von A bis Z" is a small book with huge substance, essential reading for people wanting detailed, understandable and concrete information about big European issues. Also recommended for people wanting to prepare effectively for a Community institutions recruitment competition …
(PB)
*** STEFAN GRILLER, WALDEMAR HUMMER (Ed.): Die EU nach Nizza. Ergebnisse und Perspektiven. Springer Verlag (Sachsenplatz 4-6, P. O. Box 89, A-1201 Vienna. Tel: (43-1) 3302415-0 - Fax: 3302426 - E-mail: springer@springer.at - Internet: http: //http://www.springer.at ). "Schriftenreihe der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Europaforschung" series, No. 4. 2002, 449 pp, 78 euros. ISBN 3-211-83758-X.
Fourteen professors and researchers from universities and research centres in Austria and Germany, along with European policy practitioners like Erhard Busek, former Austrian government Special Envoy on the enlargement of the EU, and ambassador Georg Woschnagg, Austria Representative to the EU, have contributed to this collection of essays on the Community post-Nice. Based on a conference organised by the Austrian society for research into the European Community (ECSA Austria) in March 2001at Innsbruck University, the book examines various subjects from the Nice Summit and its outcome, the need to reform the Intergovernmental Conference method, reforming the institutions, qualified majority voting, the flexibility instrument, economic cooperation with countries outside the EU, the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Defence Policy and the new court system to prospects for the debate on the European Constitution post-Nice. Particularly interesting are the chapters on the new common trade policy and the future of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, along with an legal and political analysis of measures taken by fourteen Member States against the FPÖ party's integration in the Austrian government. The book provides useful documentation on the reforms of the Nice Treaty and the launch of the constitutionalisation process in the European Union.
(PB)
*** EUGENIE RABOURDIN: La fonction publique française en Europe. Robert Schuman Foundation (29 bld Raspail, F-75007 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 53638300 - Fax: 53638301 - Internet: http://www.robert-schuman.org ). "Notes de la Fondation Robert Schuman" series. 2002, 64 pp, 10 euros.
Is the French civil service a special case? Should the civil service be reformed? These two questions run throughout this small book attempting, through a cool analysis studded with statistics and objective facts, to provide French decision-makers with essential food for thought on the changes required, which should be concerned more with practice than with principle.
(LD)
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg, http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following document:
*** Cordis Focus. DG Enterprise (Fax: (352-4301) 32084 - E-mail: innovation@cec.eu.int - Internet: http://www.cordis.lu/news ). 16 December 2002, No. 211, 27 pp. Free subscription.
This year's Descartes Prize was shared by research into medicines for curing multiple sclerosis and research into the origin bursts of gamma rays. Other issues covered in this issue include the commitment by ministers to coordinate the implementation of research policy at national level, an assessment by industry of the feasibility of the 3% target for R&D spending, the 2002 Innovation Scoreboard that notes that Europe is still out of step with regard to the United States and Japan, and an assessment of the projects submitted under FP6.
*** Safety Monitor. European Transport Safety Council. (34 rue du Cornet - B-1040 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2304106 - Fax: 2304215 - E-mail: information@etsc.be - Internet: http://www.etsc.be ). November 2002, No. 4, 8 pp.
This issues looks at initiatives and decisions taken over transport. The decisions do not always appear to match the scale of the sector's ambitions or needs. Among issues that need to be urgently addressed, the magazine highlights the implementation by Member States of maritime safety legislation following the shipwreck of the Prestige.
*** L'Observateur OCDE. (2 rue André-Pascal - F-75775 Paris, cedex 16 - Tel: (33-1) 45248200 - Fax: 45248210 - E-mail: sales@oecd.org - Internet: http://www.observateurocde.org ). October 2002, No. 234, 56 pp. ISBN 977-0304-33-9007. Annual subscription: 45€.
This special issue on company governance and the pillars of market integrity sheds light on issues such as offer as the key link in the chain of governance, knowledge in a world of risk and the creation of a universal company citizenship, a celebration of human knowledge, redefining company relations, more effective governance for sustainable companies, and the globalisation of workers' rights.
*** OECD Economic Surveys. United States. (2 rue André-Pascal - F-75775 Paris, cedex 16 - Tel: (33-1) 45248200 - Fax: 45248210 - E-mail: sales@oecd.org - Internet: http://www.oecd.org ). November 2002/18, 241pp. ISBN: 92-64-19160-7.
After going into recession last year, the United States' economy experienced an upturn at the beginning of the year. The book gives a break-down of the situation, outlining trends and prospects, macroeconomic policy, reform of health care and developments in structural policy.
*** Choices. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Europe. International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network (146 Rue Royale - 1000 Brussels. E-mail: info@ippfen.org). Autumn 2002, 32p..
"A male fertility research agenda", an idea that nobody would have considered discussing in the past. Especially in communities like India, where the International Planned Parenthood Federation was set up fifty years ago. It is, however, discussed these days, and solutions are being sought. As a response to women's efforts to assert their rights and decide for themselves in the face of pressures ranging from insults to imprisonment. Becoming aware of both sexes' shared responsibilities seems to have been understood and the articles in the current issue seem to bear witness to this.
In brief
*** Paneuropa Intern. 16 November 2002, No. 11, Munich. The terror that words can give rise to, and the courage that has to accompany any political action, are put under the spotlight by Otto von Habsburg, President of the Paneuropa-Union organisation. *** La Flandre. December 2002-January-February 2003, No. 36, Brussels. The ninth art, comics, has always had great success in Flanders. Other issues covered: Flanders' cooperation with candidate countries, the example of Slovakia and students in European integration at the European College in Bruges.