Britain in the European Community Book

Britain often appears to be the odd one out in Europe. Fears have been expressed that it is being marginalized and that the key decisions are taken by Germany and France. How much truth is there in these allegations? And, if true, what are the reasons? Now that Britain's economic and, increasingly, political future is bound up with the development of the European Community, how does Britain ensure that its influence is commensurate with its standing and with the strength of its arguments? As the pattern of Europe changes, what kind of European structures would best suit British interests? These and similar issues are addressed in this study, both in general terms and in relation to major EC topics such as economic and monetary union and political union. The study examines the issues likely to be on the agenda of the two intergovernmental conferences of December 1990, and also includes chapters on enlargement, regional and social policies, the democratic deficit and the EC's post-1992 programme.