Books

The main purpose of this book is to contribute towards an increased awareness and a better understanding of the issue affecting relations between Japan and Western Europe.Part I outlines the history of European influence in Japan, identifying mutual images and stereotypes. Although the main focus of the book is on the economic dimension of Euro-Japanese relations, this first section provides useful background information, particularly with regards to policy-makers’ perceptions of the other side.Part II consists of chapters on the Japanese economy and industrial policy, the political forces which shape Japan’s foreign economic policy, and the changing nature of the country’s role in the area of High Politics, with the aim of providing the reader with some knowledge of the domestic environment which largely determines Japan’s interaction with the rest of the world.

Part III deals with the bilateral economic issues. The main emphasis is on the trade imbalance between Japan and the Community, the perceptions of and reactions to the imbalance from both sides as well as the various issues closely associated with the trade problem.

Part IV explores the possibilities of gradually moving from conflict to cooperation between Western Europe and Japan. Such possibilities are seen to exist both in the political and the economic field. Also examined are the role that both sides can play in the management of international trade and monetary relations, the North-South dialogue and the preservation of world peace.

Will the second enlargement of the European Community lead to the dilution of common policies and the weakening of institutions? Or will it provide the opportunity for long overdue reforms? These are some of the questions raised in this first authoritative and comprehensive account of the economic and political aspects of the Community’s Mediterranean enlargement.
Greece has already become a full member, while Spain and Portugal are in the process of negotiating their own accession, now expected to take place during the first half of the 1980s. Thus this second enlargement will continue for some years to be a major issue in Community affairs.’The European Community and its Mediterranean Enlargement’ examines the background to recent economic developments in Greece, Spain and Portugal, their relationship with the Community and the political and economic interests at issue during negotiation. At the same time, the study of enlargement provides an excellent opportunity for a critical appraisal of existing Community policies (especially those affecting industry and agriculture) and a discussion of likely future developments and pressures for change within the context of the ‘Community of Twelve’.
Loukas Tsoukalis combines a thorough familiarity with Community affairs with a good knowledge of Southern Europe and the ability to work in several European languages. This, together with his background both as economist and political scientist, places him in an almost unique position to tackle this difficult and multi-faceted subject.’The European Community and its Mediterranean Enlargement’ crosses many disciplinary boundaries. It is equally addressed to students of politics, economics and international relations. Its policy-oriented approach and its topical nature will make it essential reading for everyone with an interest in the future development of the European Community.

Part 1

• From association to full membership
• A view from inside
• A contribution and an agonising reappraisal
• Grand gestures and second thoughts: the response of member countries to Greece’s application
• Comment

Part 2

• The effects of full membership on the manufacturing industries
• Comment
• Agriculture
• Comment
• Implications for the balance of payments
• Comment

Part 3

• The Greek political context
• Comment
• Greek foreign policy: reality, illusions, options
• Comment
• Second round of enlargement and the Mediterranean
• Comment

In 1970, economic and monetary union had become one of the central issues in discussions of the future of the European Economic Community. Βy the end of 1973, interest in it had diminished considerably and nobody seriously believed any more in its feasibility within the forseeable future. What happened? Was the issue of monetary union destined to become just another episode in the history of European integration – a big non-event?Dr Tsoukalis does not think so. He sees economic and monetary υnion as an open-ended story and in this book examines its history within the EEC, the policies of the parties involved and the conflicts of interest it has created. Rather than provide yet another theoretical blueprint for action, he aims to provide an analysis of what happened – and why – within both the political and economic environments. Special attention is given to recent developments and new proposals – from the early introduction of a parallel European currency to the Tindemans Report and the concept of a two- tier community.Language difficulties and the apparent technicality of international monetary issues have discouraged political scientists from studying the attitudes and policies of different countries regarding monetary union. Equally, despite these wide political ramifications, the different policies cannot be fully explained without some understanding of the basic theory and mechanics of monetary policy. Dr Tsoukalis’s background both as economic and political scientist has enabled him to bring a genuinely ‘political economy’ approach to bear in the research which led to this book: he is also able to work in all the main languages of the EEC.

‘The Politics and Economics of European Monetary Integration’ will accordingly attract interest within a wide range of fields of study, including International Relations, European Studies and International Economics. The book is also addressed to the policy-makers both in the EEC and in North America, whose decisions and actions have provided its basic material.