Rush to Union: Understanding the European Federal Bargain - Hardcover

by David McKay (Author)

The decision at Maastricht to create a political union and, in particular, to move towards a single currency, constitutes something of an intellectual puzzle. Why did the Europeans decide to create this union, and what are the chances of its succeeding? This book answers these questions by adapting William Riker's theory of federalism to the European case. It concludes that in the absence of fundamental political changes, European Union is not tenable.

Back Jacket

The decision at Maastricht to create a political union and in particular to move towards a single currency constitutes something of an intellectual puzzle. Why did political leaders agree to cede the most important economic function of the modern state to a supranational authority? And why was the decision taken in 1991 rather than 1981 or 1961? This book attempts to answer these questions by adapting William Riker's federalism theory to the European case.