*** MARINE MOGUEN-TOURSEL: L'ouverture des frontières européennes dans les années 50. Fruit d'une concertation avec les industriels ? Presses Interuniversitaires Européennes-Peter Lang (1 av. Maurice, B-1050 Brussels. info@peterlang.com - Internet: http: //http://www.peterlang.net ). "Euroclio" series, No. 23. 2002, 313 pp. ISBN 90-5201-964-9.
An "important contribution to the history of 1945-1961", a "precious and even a compulsory reference"… In the words of a scientist, such public praise is rare. If it is found in the preface by Prof. Alain Plessis, it would no doubt be malicious to see a weakness here in the man who was Marine Moguen-Toursel's director of studies at the Université de Paris X Nanterre. In reality, there is no need to dive very long into this book, the outcome of a reworking of a thesis in contemporary history, to grasp the interest of it. One does not have to be a historian to appreciate it. Any European curious about the origins of the European Community will also find it satisfying.
Especially if the reader is French or German. The authors looks in fact at the way German and French employers experienced and helped form the founding period of the European Community, throughout the 1950s. A period which, as Prof. Plessis timely points out to us, caused companies at that time, "used to being protected by trade barriers and quotas" to experience a shock comparable "with the shock of globalisation for companies today". First of all the author outlines the various interests at stake, taking care to define the employers' concept of the European project in the immediate post-war period. She then observes action taken by business in terms of freeing up trade within the OECD. She then studies the pressure business exerted on trade policy within the Single Market up until 1961, the year which saw the end of the inter-European quotas for industrial products and the end of the first transition year for applying the Treaty of Rome.
The originality of Marine Moguen-Toursel's work lies in her comparative perspective, systematically comparing views in France and Germany - from an impressively extensive archive - mentioning the attitudes of other countries (the UK, Italy, the United States, etc). The author then attempts to give a detailed timespan, not contenting herself with examining the positions of the two big employers' umbrella organisations, France's CNPF and Germany's BDI, and their Presidents, but also discussing debates within their ruling bodies, at pains to report on the reactions of other employers' organisations and, more importantly, adjusting to match changes in scale in her analysis by observing the specific attitude of some branches of industry or even of specific companies. This meticulous approach leads her, for example, to guide the reader to move beyond a serious of myths and ready-formed ideas. For example, systematically seeing France as rather protectionist and timid as against Germany which is more free-market and open, is an oversimplification according to the author. This is not the only revelation made in this detailed and concentrated book, which usefully explains a determining element of the history of contemporary Europe.
Michel Theys
*** HARALD BADINGER, FRITZ BREUSS: What Has Determined the Rapid Post-War Growth of Intra-EU Trade? Forschungsinstitut für Europafragen - Research Institute for European Affairs (39-45 Althanstrasse, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. Tel: (43-1) 31336-4135 - Fax: 31336-758 - europafragen@wu-wien.ac.at). "Working Papers", No. 48. 2003, 22 pp., 7.20 euros.
During the period 1960 to 2000, inter European trade grew by 1200% in real terms, while trade between the EU and the rest of the world grew by only 730%. This economic peculiarity raises the following question: What parameters or combinations of parameters have the greatest influence on economic growth among the various regional components? Based mainly on the gravity model developed by Baier and Bergstrand (2001), the authors use a series of simulations to compare the various effects of specific parameters (imported growth, consumer income, elasticity of demand, falling production or trading costs, etc). From this comparative analysis of state and dynamic models, including external and internal action by the entities under consideration, it appears that for two-thirds of the growth effect it is rising consumer income that predominates, as opposed to falling costs or fewer obstacles to trade, despite the fact the latter are often emphasised by other analytical tools. Rather on the defensive, the authors stress the reliability and well-founded nature of their conclusions.
(Foc)
*** Cahiers de droit européen. Etablissements Emile Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, 1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5129845 - Fax: 5117202 - abt@bruylant.be). 2002, No. 5-6, 259 pp, 52 euros. Annual subscription: 146 euros.
Like all its predecessors, this Cahier de droit européen is highly interesting. It starts with an almost philosophical editorial, although Alfonso Mattera, who is now an advisor to President Prodi, looks at the Single Market, a subject that at first sight is rather deceptive in that it extends far beyond the market. On the one hand, it was a "breach in the hard walls of national sovereignty". Far more than that, it would be nothing less than a "quiet and permanent revolution, carried out daily in the certitude that it meets the absolute necessity of achieving European union, solidarity and fraternity, and a hope, namely the welfare of all citizens". Clearly, the "market" in the framework of the European project, would be a tool rather than a value, given it is true, notes Mattera, that "the value of all activities we carry out is, and remains, the human being". It is a pleasure to be able to read this kind of statement! In terms of the rest of the book, the "Doctrine" section includes a very detailed essay on trade communications at the crossroads of deregulation and regulation and two other articles, no less interesting, on social security and the pledges of fundamental rights in the European Union (Prodromos Mavridis) and banning abuses of law as a general principle of European law. In the case law section, there are essays on the European Court of Human Rights, open skies agreements and the way the European Court of Justice deals with marriage and partnerships.
(MT)
*** GERARD VOISIN: La libéralisation de la promotion des ventes en Europe: un enjeu important pour les entreprises et les consommateurs. Délégation pour l'Union européenne de l'Assemblée nationale (Kiosque de l'Assemblée nationale, 4 rue Aristide-Briand, F-75007 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 40636121 - Internet: http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr )."Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale", No. 903. 2003, 39 pp, 3.50 euros. ISBN 2-11-116364-3.
This Rapport d'information casts a very critical eye over the draft Regulation of 2 October 2001 aiming to scrap barriers to the promotion of cross-border trade erected by national authorities with regard to deductions, gifts, competitions and the like. The report notes that it is the consumer who suffers from this. (MT)
*** A . PIETER VAN DER MEI: Free Movement of Persons within the European Community. Cross-Border Access to Public Benefits. Hart Publishing (Salter's Boatyard, Folly Bridge, Abington Road, Oxford OX1 4LB. Tel: (44-1865) 245533 - Fax: 794882 - mail@hartpub.co.uk - Internet: http//http://www.hartpub.co.uk ). 2003, 484 pp, £60. ISBN: 1-84113-288-8.
Does the free circulation of persons within the European Union contradict the current opportunities for getting a good level of education, health and general well-being? To attempt to answer this question and put forward a series of remedies should an over-strong or even abusive affirmation of the right to free movement lead students, the sick or people in difficulty to resort to welfare tourism to the detriment of systems slowly developed at local level to match the social realities unique to each national entity, the author of this book, a lecturer at Maastricht University, considers the rules within the European Union governing access to public services in the Member States for Europeans of another Member State. This immense subject takes into account the various concepts of terms such as "resident" and "national" or "border", and changing notions of time of residence and other integration criteria applied to a greater or less extent according to the area under consideration. A comparative study of recent European advances and the greater experience of the United States in this connection is also found in this book.
(FOc)
*** BERNARD A. KOCH, HELMUT KOZIOL (Editor): Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective. Springer-Verlag (4-6 Sachsenplatz, P. O. Box 89, A-1201 Vienna. Fax: (43-1) 3302426 - E-mail: books@springer.at - Internet: http://www.springer.at ). "Tort and Insurance Law" series, No 4. 2003, 501 pp, 92 euros. ISBN 3-211-83791-4.
Tragic accidents regularly draw attention to the question of compensation for personal injuries. This book provides an overall view of the laws and practices in this area in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. In the contributions in German, English and French, the authors, all specialists and highly qualified, demonstrate in a detailed fashion, the similarities and major differences between the legal systems on issues such as civil liability, social security, liability, evidence, shared liability, physical injury, the importance of civil liability for the victim, death, the means and degree of compensation etc. An in-depth book that will delight specialists!
(LD)
*** THOMAS L. BREWER, PAUL A. BRENTON, GAVIN BOYD (Editor): Globalizing Europe. Deepening Integration, Alliance Capitalism and Structural Statecraft. Edward Elgar Publishing (Glensanda House, Montpellier Parade, Cheltenham, Glos, GL50 1UA, United Kingdom. Tel: (44-1242) 226934 - fax: 262111 - E-mail: info@e-elgar.co.uk - Internet: http://www.e-elgar.co.uk ). "New Horizons in International Business" series. 2002, 333 pp. ISBN 1-84064-641-1.
Written by eminent scientists, this book provides a collective examination of the implications for a Community Europe in the world of trade flows and globalisation. A process which impels European decision makers to meet the challenge of legislating appropriate measures for maximising the benefits and reducing the costs of this inexorable process. Its starting point is that the further the Union integrates and extends geographically, the more it will be able to master external economic relations. The authors propose that Member States invest more pro-actively and constructively in global economic policies and in the initiatives that it could take to ensure greater stability in the global economy. In this context, they focus on Trans-Atlantic relations. The book demonstrates that European decision makers are currently enmeshed in too complex internal decision making processes hence ignoring the external policies the Union ought to be developing.
(LD)
*** JACQUES HERARD: Manuel d'Organisation appliquée. Reconcevoir les processus et coordonner les activités. Dunod (Paris. Internet: http: //http://www.dunod.com ). "Stratégies et management" series. 2003, 346 pp. ISBN 2-10-005946-7.
Although business at the beginning of the Twentieth century was organised scientifically by demanding respect and submission to authority, it now has to re-orientate itself toward endorsement, namely ; values as perceived by its customers. From this starting point, the question of "for whom?" has to precede that of "why?" and "how?" Assisting businesses in the conceptualising and operational implementation of their structures, processes and responsibilities, the author in this book, presents the main currents of organisational thought (Taylor, Ford, Fayol, socio-technics) and their repercussions on contemporary practices. he subsequently develops a systematic approach towards the reconceptualising process and the co-ordination of activities. He examines the fundaments of business in light of knowledge management concepts, taking into account of internationalisation, the advantages of new technologies, management of flows and deadlines etc. The different strategies and their repercussion are illustrated and focus on large-scale firms, professions and various structures. This book is aimed at all those who are involved in organisational rethinks in the public or private spheres, from the most basic unit to the totality of the group.
(LD)
*** THIERRY HOUGRON: Le Pilotage de la valeur. Les 77 règles pour concevoir, produire et vendre mieux. Dunod (see above). "Fonctions de l'entreprise", "Performance industrielle" series. 2003, 400 pp, 44.39 euros. ISBN 2-10-006908-X.
Qualified engineer and president of a consortium of specialist consultants, Thierry Hougron calls on the reader to "satisfy the customer at all costs", guiding him though the mysteries of value. Seventy-seven cardinal rules governing design, production and sales are listed an illustrated from a number of concrete examples. (LD)
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following document:
*** Making globalisation work for everyone. DG Press and Communication (B-1049 Brussels). "Europe on the move" series. 2003, 22 pp. ISBN 92-894-4714- .
As a major player in the domain of world trade, the Union has obviously an interest in bringing together the conditions favourable to making trade flourish. In this context, globalisation, with its trade in goods, capital, technology and people is able to create wealth and improve the level of life for all. However, if globalisation is not subject to established rules on a world scale, it can produce damaging effects. This is why this publication succinctly explains the way in which European trade policy works, as well as the efforts made by the Union to establish clear and fair rules with the goal of mitigating the negative effects of globalisation and allowing developing countries to fully benefit from its dividends.
*** Eipascope. European Institute of Public Administration (P.O. Box 1229. NL-6201 BE Maastricht. Tel: (31-43) 3296222 - fax: 3296296 - Internet: http: //http://www.eipa.nl ). 2003, No 2, 64 pp.
The goal of this bulletin, published three times a year is to "raise awareness about current European issues and provide information on the activities of the European Institute of Maastricht. The first subject tackled focuses on the legitimacy of Article 39.4 of the treaty which hinders the mobility of civil servants within the Union. Tow other articles focus on enlargement. The first examines the measures candidate countries have to adopt, when they have not formally been requested to do so by the Union, to guarantee successful integration; the second describes the specific experience of Norway as an active observer. The application of competition rules constitutes the final subject.
*** Europe infos. Ocipe and Comece (42 rue Stévin, B-1000 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 2350510 - fax: 2303334 - E-mail: europeinfos@comece.org). July-August 2003, No 51, 12 pp.
In his editorial, Pierre de Charentenay raises the delicate question of the Convention's recommendation stipulating that "in its relations with the rest of the world, the Union asserts and promotes its values and interests", which could have implications in its relations with Europe and the USA, notably in the re-launching of Mercosur in South America. Other subjects touch on the draft Constitution (presence of religion in the draft, what the Constitution could change in the European defence industry). The Italian Presidency and the problematic faced by asylum seekers are other themes that are examined.
*** La lettre du CEPII. Centre d'études prospectives et d'informations internationales (124 rue Henri Barbusse, F-93305 Aubervilliers Cedex. Tel: (33-1) 48395600 - Internet: http://www.cepii.fr ). June 2003, No. 224, 4 pp. Annual subscription: 47.50 euros.
At a time when France and Germany are experiencing difficulties in respecting the Stability and Growth Pact, the CEPII s is looking at the foundations of this pact in its current form, adapted to anticipate any situations of insolvability or restrictions in monetary policy in the Euro zone. The Centre demonstrates, for example, how the maximum annual deficit of 3% is certainly too strict in the long term and could also be insufficient in the short term for a highly indebted country.
*** Documents. Revue des questions allemandes. Bureau International de Liaison et de Documentation (50 rue de Laborde, F-75008 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 43872550 - fax: 42935094 - E-Mail: bild.documents@wanadoo.fr). April-May-June 2003, No. 2, 136 pp. 10 euros. Subscription: 39 euros.
Almost half of this issue is dedicated to the fortieth anniversary of the Treaty of the Elysée. It also includes numerous articles on politics, culture, history and the Franco-German Youth Parliament.
*** Dokumente. Gesellschaft für Übernationale Zusammenarbeit (Dottendorfer Strasse 86, D-53129 Bonn. Tel: (02-28) 9239805 - Fax: 690385 - guez.dokumente@gmx.net - Internet: http://www.guez-dokumente.org ). June 2003, No. 3, 100 pp. 3.90 euros. Annual subscription: 16,90 euros.
As part of the German speaking Documents series, Dokumente provides a major article entitled "Work, Health, Pensions", focusing on the different ways adopted in German and French social policy, as well as a detailed article on bio-ethics. Other political and cultural articles make up this edition. The Tour de France is also examined as it celebrates its centenary.