Publisher's Synopsis
In the wake of the growth of courses that integrate the political and economic fabric of European affairs, this textbook analyzes key political, economic and social aspects of the whole of contemporary Europe. Adopting a theme-based approach, rather than a country by country analysis, the text describes how economic and political factors interrelate - both in unity and diversity - to influence economic policy and performance in Europe. The text analyzes the successes of national policy at the level of the nation state and the constraints, specifically the limits to national political and economic sovereignty, which arise from interdependence.;It covers key pan-European issues such as labour, agriculture, the social space and political economy as well as both EU and non-EU countries with a special section on Eastern Europe. The work features the development of contemporary Europe from the supremacy of the nation state in decision making right through to European integration. In addition, it provides relevant theoretical background to the policy area/debate in the more traditional aspects of economics and politics, but also in new issues of concern such as equal opportunities, race and environmentalism.
