The Euro in the 21st Century clarifies the perception of the euro and empirically demonstrates that the euro has become a true common currency and the Eurozone a true optimal currency area, presenting, in turn, a model to imitate. In order to demonstrate this, this study analyzes the economic and monetary requirements and policies required to introduce a common currency as well as the theoretical underpinnings of both the European integration process and the historical economic, monetary, political, and social circumstances that favoured the creation of the economic and monetary union. Furthermore, this book sheds light on how the current economic and monetary circumstances are affecting the euro project through and analysis of three intertwined issues. It studies how the economic chaos and financial uproar, which has plagued the Eurozone and world economy since 2008, has affected the single-currency regime as well as the current image of the euro worldwide. Moreover it summarizes the lesson to be learnt from what can be considered 'the first euro crisis'. Finally, it thoroughly analyzes the behaviour of the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund during this crisis. This book draws on and contributes to several bodies of literature within Political Economy, Economics, and International Relations and is particularly relevant at this time given that the current unfolding economic imbalances are causing some Eurozone Member States to rethink their economic and political views concerning the euro.

The Euro in the 21st Century clarifies the perception of the euro and empirically demonstrates that the euro has become a true common currency and the Eurozone a true optimal currency area, presenting, in turn, a model to imitate. In order to demonstrate this, this study analyzes the economic and monetary requirements and policies required to introduce a common currency as well as the theoretical underpinnings of both the European integration process and the historical economic, monetary, political, and social circumstances that favoured the creation of the economic and monetary union. Furthermore, this book sheds light on how the current economic and monetary circumstances are affecting the euro project through and analysis of three intertwined issues. It studies how the economic chaos and financial uproar, which has plagued the Eurozone and world economy since 2008, has affected the single-currency regime as well as the current image of the euro worldwide. Moreover it summarizes the lesson to be learnt from what can be considered 'the first euro crisis'. Finally, it thoroughly analyzes the behaviour of the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund during this crisis. This book draws on and contributes to several bodies of literature within Political Economy, Economics, and International Relations and is particularly relevant at this time given that the current unfolding economic imbalances are causing some Eurozone Member States to rethink their economic and political views concerning the euro.

This book examines the evolution of the Euro-Atlantic security system, from cooperation to rivalry and crisis, since the beginning of the 21st century. By highlighting the causes, manifestations and international consequences of this evolution, the author describes a stage of crisis in the security system, characterized by increasing rivalry for spheres of influence, militarization of policies and the suspension of cooperation due to the growing divergence between the interests of the West – now including the Central European states – and Russia, leading to a subsequent reconfiguration of the world order. Adopting a neo-realistic approach, the author demonstrates that members of the Euro-Atlantic security system, irrespective of the values they claim to hold, are guided in their actions on the international stage by clearly defined interests. The first part of the book analyses the nature of the Euro-Atlantic security system, while the second part illustrates the limited success of Euro-Atlantic collaboration, for example in combating terrorism. Lastly, the third part discusses the consequences of the crisis, such as the conflict in Ukraine, and prospects for the future evolution of the Euro-Atlantic security system.

This book provides an empirical analysis of security challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean area and highlights the political, military, economic, societal and environmental issues that are already serving as a source of instability in the region.

A socialist programme presented in Berlin in 2010 giving a strategy for the European Left.

The emergence of new powers fundamentally questions the traditional views on international relations, multilateralism or security as a range of countries now competes for regional and global leadership - economically, politically, technologically and militarily. As the focus of international attention shifts from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the European states in particular are seen to lose influence relative to the emerging economic powerhouses of China, Russia, India and Brazil. European nations find themselves too small to engage meaningfully with these continent-sized powers and, in an increasingly multipolar world are concerned their influence can only continue to decline. This book analyses the shifts in the structure of global power and examines the threats and opportunities they bring to Europe. Leading European Contributors reflect on how the EU can utilise collective strength to engage and compete with rapidly developing nations. They examine perceptions of the EU among the emerging powers and the true meaning and nature of any strategic partnerships negotiated. Finally they explore the shape and structure of the international system in the 21st century and how the EU can contribute to and shape it.

To avoid a repeat of those nationalist nightmares, a common European Dream emerged after WWII, which has since developed into some essential doctrines of European integration. This dream-inspired institutionalist context has framed intergovernmental bargaining, sectoral spillovers and transnational cooperation in European integration. The powerful European Dream has even encouraged Europeans toward closer integration, though they were, quite often, very reluctant to go further. This dream-driven approach and reluctant runner’s model have highlighted some fundamental realities of European integration, extremely inspiring for the future of the EU and the ongoing Asian regionalism. This book consists of three parts and thirteen chapters. It aims to explain European integration, the EU’s role in global governance and the EU’s impact upon Asian regionalism with the help of the European Dream approach and reluctant runners’ model. Trump’s unilateralism, the rising tensions between the US and PRC and the COVID-19 pandemic may be a turning point for world politics. Both globalization and global governance have consequently slowed down, giving place to regionalism and inter-regionalism. This book hopes to contribute to the rising debate over European integration, Asian regionalism and EU-Asian inter-regionalism.

Fully revised and updated, the second edition of this leading textbook provides a systematic assessment of security in contemporary Europe. The book examines the changing character of security and assesses the extent of the threats posed by different challenges, as well as the policy dilemmas involved in responding to these concerns. The nature of security in Europe has been transformed in recent years. Andrew Cottey argues that this is a result of two key developments: the emergence of a security community - a zone of peace where war is inconceivable across much of Europe - and the presence of new security threats such as terrorism and energy dependence. Set in the context of the rising power of non-Western states and the continuing fall-out from the global economic crisis, this text provides a comprehensive analysis of Europe's new security challenges. Europe's traditional problem of war between states is being displaced by a new and equally daunting set of security challenges. While major war within Europe remains unlikely, the 2008 Georgia war and the 2011 Libya war were reminders that violent conflicts are still prevalent on Europe's periphery and can pose major challenges for European governments, NATO and the EU. At the same time, terrorism, nuclear proliferation as well as non-military problems like mass migration and climate change threaten Europe's security. This text is the perfect companion for advanced undergraduate and Master's level courses on European security, whether within courses in Security studies, European studies or International Relations. New to this Edition: - New framework for analysing European security - Highly topical issues covered, including Arab Spring, rise of BRIC countries, terrorism and European energy dependence

What future awaits Europe? One of irrelevance, where the emerging powers will crush the Old Continent, or perhaps not? Why Europe Will Not Run the 21st Century focuses on the necessity of radical and dramatic institutional reforms at the EU level, not only to streamline a decision-making process fragmented into a thousand trickles and naturally prone to the influence of powerful interest groups, but also to involve the citizenry, whose convinced support is necessary to the success of the project. The EU is a distant entity whose democraticity is highly disputable. The press ignores it, and citizens know very little about it, as the EU does things they do not really care about or cannot comprehend at all. Citizens’ unawareness and lack of participation and involvement means the impossibility to create a real, close-knit European civil society and public opinion. Why Europe Will Not Run the 21st Century revives the idea that only a federal Europe made up, at least initially, of a limited circle of ‘pioneer states’ and characterised by a common Constitution, central government and real European political parties will manage to work out the constitutional, political, economic and ethnic discrepancies inherent in so large a Union of states, thus overcoming the EU’s inability to face domestic as well as external threats and allowing Europe to halt its apparently inexorable decline.

Contributed articles presented at an international seminar at West European Studies Division, Centre for American and West European Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University in November 2001.