The Deepening Crisis of the European Union: The Case for Radical Change

 

The Deepening Crisis of the European Union

The Case for Radical Change

Editors: Włodzimierz Dymarski, Marica Frangakis, Jeremy Leaman

Poznan University of Economics Press  

2014

From the back cover of the book:

The book is a much needed addition to the literature on Europe’s structural growth weaknesses and the mismanagement of the 'Great recession' at both European and member state level. The critical viewpoint is stressed on the EU basic institutional biases together with suggestion of alternative solutions respectful of social needs and the well-being of citizens.
Nicola Acocella, Professor of Economic Policy, Department of Methods and Models for Economics, Territory and Finance, Faculty of Economics, University of Rome 'La Sapienza'

Criticism of EU institutions and their policies is often rebuffed as unwarranted euro-scepticism; some will say that also this volume belongs to it. It does not; it deals with proper issues and proposes proper remedies. Ten chapters of it present a coherent and persuasive case for a fundamental reassessment of EU priorities and the demand for alternative economic policies to ensure sustainable exit from the on-going crisis and the foundations of a socially and ecologically just and lasting Europe. Clinging to the current economic policies and hysteric savings threatens not only the exit from the crisis but also the very existence of the European Union.
Jože Mencinger, Professor of Economics, Department of Legal and Economic Science, Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana and European Academy of Sciences and Arts

In the midst of the greatest economic crisis in Europe since the 1930s, the studies in this book provide an excellent guide to the scale of the crisis and the policies that must be adopted to overcome the crisis. They challenge the conventional wisdom that poverty and austerity brings any competitive advantage that is worth having. As they put it, a fairer, more prosperous Europe is possible. The serious and profound insights of its authors will inform and enlighten the open-minded reader and policy-makers.
Jan Toporowski, Professor of Economics and Finance, Department of Economics, The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. 

Preface
Włodzimierz Dymarski, Marica Frangakis, Jeremy Leaman

Part I
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF AN AVOIDABLE DEPRESSION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
1. Berlin consensus and disintegration. Monetary regime and uneven development in the EU
Joachim Becker and Rudi Weissenbacher
2. The political economy of the 'Euro-system'
Michel Husson
3. Boom and (deep) crisis in the Spanish economy: The role of the EU in its evolution
Miren Etxezarreta, Francisco Navarro, Ramón Ribera-Fumaz and Victòria Soldevila
4. Impact of the global crisis on the economic performance of Central and East European countries
Włodzimierz Dymarski
5. The financial crisis and the restructuring of the EU social model
Mahmood Messkoub

Part II
DISCOURSE AND HEGEMONY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
6. Crises and capitalist oligarchies: A radical critique of society and its political economy
Judith Dellheim
7. EU governance: democracy as a mere fragment of political discourse
Giovanni Esposito and Tomaso Ferrando

Part III
IN SEARCH OF ALTERNATIVES: THE CASE FOR A TRANSFORMATIVE AGENDA IN A RADICAL EUROPEAN UNION
8. The need for a radical 'growth policy' agenda for Europe at a time of crisis
Peter Herrmann and Marica Frangakis
9. The future of capitalism will be decided in the cities
Mikael Stigendal
10. The preconditions for reducing social inequality in Europe
Jeremy Leaman

(source: The European Economists for an Alternative Economic Policy in Europe)