Competition and Economic Integration in Europe explores the relationship between competition policy and economic integration in the enlarging European Union. It contains valuable contributions from academics and officials from inside and outside the European Union as well as offering a transatlantic perspective on the enabling effect of competition policy on deepening European integration.

This book examines the importance of competition policy in the Europe Agreements signed with the Central and East European countries, whilst emphasizing that agreement on the adoption of competition rules is just one element in the complex process of accession to the European Union. The book argues that harmonization of competition policy along EU lines across the wider Europe is necessary to create a culture of competition among the European partner countries. The contributors examine the actual and potential roles of competition policy as a regulator of cross-border flows, an agent for the removal of trade barriers and as one of a number of measures to enable a move towards free trade. Competition policy is also advocated as a framework for business behaviour, in order to eradicate 'unfair' competition and as a foundation for the privatization programmes of governments. The book concludes with a postscript linking the argument of the book with the European Commission's Agenda 2000 report of July 1997.

This book will prove invaluable to academics and students in the field of transition economics, the economics of the European Union, comparative institutions and industrial policy.

About the Author
Edited by Saul Estrin, Head, Department of Management, London School of Economics, UK and Peter Holmes, formerly, Jean Monnet Reader in the Economics of European Integration, Sussex European Institute, University of Sussex, UK

Reviews
'The volume has raised wide-ranging questions relating to integration and transition of controlled economies to market economies. Most of these experiences are useful for countries with bulging fiscal deficit and struggling hard to bring in efficiency in public expenditure. . . . The volume will no doubt be useful for policymakers and researchers of countries in transition.' -- Pradosh Nath, Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research



Book Information
ISBN 9781858985022
Author Saul Estrin
Format Hardback
Page Count 176
Imprint Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Publisher Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd