From European Community to European Union
Subtitle: An Historical and Political Survey
Publisher: Routledge
Published: March 24, 1997
Language: eng
Number of pages: 288
ISBN-13: 9780415142656
First sentence: On the afternoon of 9 May 1950 Robert Schuman, born in Luxembourg and an auxiliary with the German army during the First World War, stepped as Foreign Minister of France into the Salon de I'Horloge at the Quai d'Orsay and asserted, 'It is no longer the moment for vain words, but for a bold act - a constructive act.'
Description: The evolution of the European Community and its transition to the European Union has been far from smooth or predictable. Assessing key episodes, such as France's decision to absent herself from the Council of Ministers in 1965 and the turbulent events of 1973, Richard McAllister explores the history of European integration from the 1950s to the ratification of the Treaty on European Union at Maastricht and beyond.

Written in a pacey and engaging way, this study reveals the full inside story of the political manoeuvrings behind the development of the European Union.

Drawing extensively on contemporary reactions, Richard McAllister demonstrates how unforseen crises and events have been as significant as the 'grand designs' in shaping the EC/U. In particular, he looks at the evolving debates in four areas: the organisation of the EC/U's different institutions; policy development; the international role of the EC/U; its geographical scope and membership.

This study is an important contribution to an understanding of the past, present and uncertain future of European integration.