This book aims to answer a number of important questions. To what extent have European countries converged or diverged with EU-wide economic and social indicators over the past 20 years? What have been the drivers of convergence? Why do some countries lag behind, while others experience continuous upward convergence? Why are these trajectories not always linear? Particular attention is paid to the role of institutions, actors and industrial relations – focusing on the resources and strategies of governments, employers and trade unions – in nudging EU countries onto an upward convergence path.

'Converging Europe' evaluates the impact of European integration on social policy development since the launch and re-launch of the Lisbon strategy discussing the challenges posed by the still unfolding global economic crisis of 2007-2009. Given the unsettling economic conditions, does European coordination of social policies generate more social cohesion and integration or growing xenophobia, nationalism and exclusion? Informed by diverse theoretical perspectives, this book brings together a team of international experts working on an extensive range of policy issues central to the Lisbon agenda such as labour market policies, social protection systems, and social exclusion/poverty. Contributions assess the interfaces between European integration, the Lisbon strategy and social policy in three groups of countries related to the EU: old member states; the new member states; and a candidate country - Turkey. The richness of content and data allows rigorous analysis and critical comparative insights not only on the social outcomes of the Lisbon strategy but also more broadly on the dynamics and dimensions of European social policy. Pioneering the scholarly reflections on the repercussions of the global economic crisis of 2007-2009 for both the road map drawn at Lisbon and viability of national systems of social provision in Europe, this book is an important acquisition for policy makers and academics alike.

This book provides an in-depth study on current perceptions of, and responses to, fragmentation in the European patent system (EPS). For decades, attempts have been made to address this fragmentation by introducing a unitary patent system. The most recent attempt, the EU unitary patent system, will be the first of its kind. It is expected to significantly change the EPS. However, rather than reducing existing fragmentation, it will likely add to it. Based on an analysis of the current and forthcoming system, the book argues that the inherent nature of fragmentation within the EPS needs to be recognised and suggests that a multifaceted approach is required to respond to it. Uniquely, it draws on work regarding fragmentation outside of the patent and intellectual property regimes, gaining insights from both European law-making and the international legal system. These insights are used to investigate current responses to fragmentation in the EPS. Interpretations of substantive patent law are examined, including claim construction (Actavis v Eli Lily), exceptions to patentability related to uses of human embryos for industrial or commercial purposes (WARF, Brüstle, ISCC), and products resulting from essentially biological processes (Broccoli and Tomatoes II, G3/19). Attempts towards convergence in these areas have had mixed results and in some instances fragmentation may be necessary. However, similar techniques to those applied in the international legal system to respond to fragmentation are being used in the EPS, and, where this is seen, it has been to good effect. It is argued that these methods should be recognised, structured, and promoted to make our response to fragmentation more effective. Fragmentation and the European Patent System will be of interest to academics, students and practitioners looking for a new perspective on the EPS.

"Members of the anti-globalization movement will find the explanations given in this book insightful, as will employees of international organizations due to the important policy messages. The theoretical interest within the book will appeal to development economists and evolutionary economists, and policymakers and politicians will find the explanations of the present failure of many small nations in the periphery invaluable."--BOOK JACKET.

In economically advanced countries the shape and the size of higher education systems vary substantially. In some countries, access becomes almost universal whereas in others, only about one third in the corresponding age groups enrol. All higher education systems are diversified, but formal dimensions, such as types of institutions or levels of study programmes and degrees play different roles and informal dimensions are by no means irrelevant. In some countries, the hierarchy according to quality and reputation is steep and in others relatively flat. Profiles of individual institutions and programmes might be striking or superficial. This book, based on more than three decades of research, aims to show actual trends in the development of higher education systems. It describes the policy debates in an broad range of countries. Moreover, it provides an overview of varying concepts aiming to explain the dynamics of structural developments. The author shows that comparative perspectives and the search for an internationally”best” or “most modern” solutions at times lead to convergent trends. However, specific policy options dominating and specific traditions of higher education tend to reinforce an international variety of patterns of higher education systems. This book invites readers—policy makers and practitioners in the area of higher education as well as scholars and graduate students—to look beyond the idiosyncrasies of national debates and beyond the “Zeitgeist” of currently fashionable international debates (e. g. Bologna process”, “ranking” of “world class universities”) and to consider both persistent tensions and changing conditions underlying the extent and the kind of “diversity” opted for on individual countries.

Amid formidable challenges, Europe’s future depends not least on the capacity of its economies to converge toward their better performing peers. Dissecting the complexity of cohesion, this book analyzes which dimensions matter most for the smooth functioning of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and for the (income) convergence of Central, Eastern and Southeastern European (CESEE) countries. Central bankers, policy-makers and academics discuss how to best advance the catching-up process and look into EU structural and cohesion policies, critically assessing their contribution to economic and social development.

Sir Alan Walters ex-chief economic advisor to PM Margaret Thatcher Whether it succeeds or fails, Europe is everyone's concern. The idea of a united Europe has been entertained, even partially at least, achieved, inter alia, CharlemagI!e, Napoleon, Hitler, and in our da)' by Spaak, Monet and Chancellor Kohl: the first three by military conquest, the last three by "negotiation" and the creation of integrating institutional arrangements. The motives varied from the twisted paranoia of the Nazis to the idealism of SpaaklMonet/Kohl in avoiding conflicts and wars. Under the protection of NATO the European Coal and Steel Community soon was transformed into the EEC by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. The massive reduction of trade barriers, particularly between France and Germany, was rewarded by vigorous growth over the next 15 years. Even as late as 1972, when Britain acceeded to the Treaty of Rome, the EEC was thought to be lar~ely a customs union: in de Gaulle eyes the EEC was simply a collection of sovereISJ:l states who cooperated primarily on trade. Each state however enjoyed a veto; deCIsions had to be unanimous.

This book provides a commentary on the law of the EU related to the Monetary Union. It contains a comprehensive analysis of all provisions of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and the European Central Bank (ECB). In addition, the book also analyses all provisions of the Treaties themselves which regulate the ESCB and the ECB. This analysis is supplemented by commentaries on other Protocols which contain relevant rules for the Monetary Union. In essence, all relevant statutory rules governing the euro and its key monetary authority, the European Central Bank, are unfolded and explained in one volume. This gives the book a unique position in the legal literature on the law of the EU. With contributions by renowned academics and practitioners, this book is an expanded and updated translation of the 2013 German commentary, EWU Kommentar zu Europäischen Währungsunion (Mohr Siebeck) and is an invaluable resource for practitioners and academics alike who are looking for a provision-by-provision commentary on the laws governing the European Monetary Union.

This 2-volume work includes approximately 1,200 entries in A-Z order, critically reviewing the literature on specific topics from abortion to world systems theory. In addition, nine major entries cover each of the major disciplines (political economy; management and business; human geography; politics; sociology; law; psychology; organizational behavior) and the history and development of the social sciences in a broader sense.

This edited volume sets out to explore the paradox that the European Union (EU) produces policies with strategic qualities, but lacks the institutions and concepts to engage in strategic reasoning and action proper. The book has a two-fold agenda, exploring current EU external policies that are, or seem to be, linked to strategic priorities, and also studying the concept of strategy in the particular context of EU decision- and policymaking. The volume first examines the character of the Union as a strategic actor at this stage of its development. It then explores the ability of the Union to act and otherwise influence both its periphery and the wider world, focusing in particular on how it is perceived by other actors. The final section comprises personal assessments by a group of contributors regarding the character of the union as a strategic actor in the present and future. When these are pieced together, a picture emerges of a European strategy in the making, albeit one that so far is modest and partial. This book will be of interest to students of European Security, European Politics and IR.