Expanding Membership of the European Union

This compelling volume, from the Centre for Economic Policy Research, examines the discussion surrounding both actual and possible future expansion of the European Union (EU). The contributors address the key issues in the debate, including the implications of expansion for the global trading system, enlargement-related pressures to reform EU decision making, and the economic consequences of membership for new entrants. Using the latest theoretical techniques to report new results and insights, this book not only sheds light on the consequences of Austria, Finland and Sweden joining the EU, but also discusses and evaluates the possible membership of Central European ex-socialist countries. This is an important book for students and scholars interested in regional integration, and also for policy-makers in the new EU member countries and in applicant countries. Many of the issues addressed in this volume will be relevant for the EU’s inter-governmental conference in 1996.