The economic integration of Western Europe

Abstract

The article is not a further description of the obvious reasons for which European Union is a necessary foundation for the salvation of the Old Continent. Leaving on one side the easy field of wishful anticipations, the author examines the historical problems involved in the realisation of this proposed Union and illustrates fully its serious and complex nature, viewed from the economic and political standpoints. The position taken up is far from being a negative one, but it is critical of the too hasty and doctrinaire approaches made, even in some official circles, to the consideration of a matter that requires a thorough understanding of the risks, the losses, the uncertainties, and the renunciations it would involve, and therefore calls for an extremely cautious and slow action.

JEL: F15