The economics of the common market - D. Swann (First edition)

What precisely is the common market, and how does it work? This clearly written book does more than answer these questions: it describes the social and political origins of the Six, traces its evolution through the practical decisions that have been taken since 1958, and indicates the possibilities of future development. The attitudes of the member-states towards central issues such as agricultural price-support systems (including the recent settlement as to how these are to be financed), movements of labour and capital, and the coordination of social security are clearly brought out. The reader is given real insights into the functions of the Council of Ministers, such as its proposal in February 1970 of the policies to be adopted to attain economic and monetary union by 1978-80; the methods of achieving the objectives of the Rome Treaty in the face of tremendous difficulties; and the spur to integration that the American challenge affords. Apart from making intelligible what could well be the early stages of the unification of Europe, this book places in perspective Britain's application to enter, and underlines the kind of changes that would have to be made if entry is to be considered worthwhile.