MACMILLAN European Union: Post Crisis Challenges and Prospects for Growth

This book discusses the unprecedented impact of the financial and economic crisis on government finances and economic performance across Europe, which has raised skepticism on the ability of the current course of integration to promote prosperity. Correspondingly, the European Union is about to contract for the first time in its history. This timely book covers the economic issues that challenge the future of integration in Europe. The chapters are authored by international experts and examine current and emerging challenges and trends for the European Union: economic convergence, monetary policy, competition law, transport policy, the informal sector, employment, recovery and enlargement.  Four chapters focus on Greece, which has been the greatest challenge faced by European institutions in the context of the sovereign debt crisis, and one chapter discusses the possible costs of Brexit. The reader will benefit from understanding the key economic challenges, which, if effectively addressed, will lead to deepening the union, or in contrast to a multi-speed Europe. Review “European integration is an immense challenging project uncompromisingly moving forward which, while experiencing significant negatives, still greatly contributes to higher standard of livings across the board. Undoubtedly, multi-cultural environments are not easy to work with and often economic issues become perplexing, uncompromising and, most importantly, vitally important.  European Union: Post crisis challenges and prospects for growth is a superb collection of timely critical readings that offer opportunity to comprehend crucial economic issues of paramount importance to all impacted, involved, worry and care in Europe and other regions of the world.” (Prof. Demetri Kantarelis, Assumption College, USA) “A timely look on some of the critical issues that will shape the future of the European Union.” (Prof. Yorgos Rizopoulos, University Paris Diderot, France) “There is certainly much to discuss the future of European integration. This book offers a timely investigation about some of the key challenges the European Union is now facing.” (Prof. Bruno S. Sergi, University of Messina, Italy & Harvard University, USA) From the Back Cover This book discusses the unprecedented impact of the financial and economic crisis on government finances and economic performance across Europe, which has raised skepticism on the ability of the current course of integration to promote prosperity. Correspondingly, the European Union is about to contract for the first time in its history. This timely book covers the economic issues that challenge the future of integration in Europe. The chapters are authored by international experts and examine current and emerging challenges and trends for the European Union: economic convergence, monetary policy, competition law, transport policy, the informal sector, employment, recovery and enlargement.  Four chapters focus on Greece, which has been the greatest challenge faced by European institutions in the context of the sovereign debt crisis, and one chapter discusses the possible costs of Brexit. The reader will benefit from understanding the key economic challenges, which, if effectively addressed, will lead to deepening the union, or in contrast to a multi-speed Europe. About the Author Vasileios A. Vlachos is a member of the Greek Shadow Economy Observatory and the International Conference on International Business. He has also been engaged in research projects about the shadow economy, and FDI in Greece and has been a contributor to Columbia FDI profiles. He has authored several articles in refereed journals and chapters in edited volumes, and has edited books and special issues of refereed journals. Aristidis Bitzenis is Professor in the Department of International and European Studies at the University of Macedonia, Greece. He is the chair of the Greek Shadow Economy O