The History and Growth of the European Union: Part One

Abstract:     
Whither the European Union? Whither the EURO? These questions have taken on heightened, global significance in the wake of the EURO-zone financial crisis that emerged in 2010 and remains ongoing. Answers, or at least approaches to answers, are important not only to bailing out Greece, Ireland and Portugal, but also Spain, Italy and the whole of the European Union, including Britain and other non-EURO members. Indeed, they are critical for the world as we know it.

In this article, my approach to these questions is historical. In order to understand whither the European Union and EURO, it helps to understand whence they came. In Part One, I explore the history of European integration up to the watershed release of the EURO in 1999. I anticipate, in a sequel Part Two, carrying this historical approach to a conclusion amidst today’s crisis in Europe.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 26

Keywords: European Union, EURO

JEL Classification: F15, K33, 052

working papers series