The Choice for Europe: Social Purpose and State Power from Messina to Maastricht
The creation of the European Community ranks among the most extraordinary achievements in modern world politics. Observers disagree, however, about the reasons why European governments have chosen to coordinate core economic policies and surrender sovereign prerogatives. In this eagerly awaited book, Andrew Moravcsik analyzes the history of the region's movement toward economic and political union.Do these unifying steps demonstrate the preeminence of national security concerns, the power of...
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The creation of the European Community ranks among the most extraordinary achievements in modern world politics. Observers disagree, however, about the reasons why European governments have chosen to coordinate core economic policies and surrender sovereign prerogatives. In this eagerly awaited book, Andrew Moravcsik analyzes the history of the region's movement toward economic and political union.Do these unifying steps demonstrate the preeminence of national security concerns, the power of federalist ideals, the skill of political entrepreneurs like Jean Monnet and Jacques Delors, or the triumph of technocratic planning? Moravcsik rejects such views. Economic interdependence has been, he maintains in his provocative argument, the primary force compelling these democracies to move in this surprising direction. Politicians rationally pursued national economic advantage through the exploitation of asymmetrical interdependence and the manipulation of institutional commitments.Focusing on Germany, France, and Britain, Moravcsik examines the five decisive agreements that propelled integration forward. He seeks to reintegrate the historical study of European unity with theoretical inquiry into the sources of international cooperation.
\ From the Publisher"Moravcsik's book provides the most comprehensive account of the history-making decisions setting up the EC/EU available. It will set the standards in European studies for the years to come. . . . This book represents an excellent synthesis of his work. . . . Moravcsik's particular strength is his ability to combine in-depth historical analysis with rigorous hypothesis testing. This is the main reason why this book constitutes a model for future research in European studies and elsewhere. . . . This is a path-breaking book. . . . It also contains a political message that is utterly relevant for the future of the European Union."-Thomas Risse, International Politics\ "Moravcsik has produced a very well-written and ambitious work which addresses the flaws in previous scholarship on this issue. Simply stated, it is the best synthetic account of the European integration process currently available, and must be read by anyone with an interest in this intriguing issue."-Todd Alan Good, H-Net Reviews\ "In The Choice for Europe, Andrew Moravcsik combines social science theory with extensive empirical research to produce the most compelling and significant analysis yet of the European Community."-Robert O. Keohane, Duke University\ "Andrew Moravcsik has written the most thorough, and quite possibly the best, historical analysis of European integration extant."-Helen Milner, Columbia University\ "This challenging volume will be read-and re-read-for its insights into West European integration. Moravcsik's painstakingly thorough study lays out the rich evidence for his probing analysis of European statecraft."-Helen Wallace, Director, ESRC One Europe Or Several Programme, Sussex European Institute, University of Sussex\ \ \
