Routledge - The Political History of European Integration

Explore the complex evolution of the European Union through this scholarly analysis from Routledge. This book examines the shift in European integration, moving from the original goals of the European Economic Community (EEC) to the market-driven model established by the 1992 Maastricht Treaty. Readers will learn how the concept of European democracy changed during the 1980s, as integration became increasingly tied to neoliberal ideas of a market-driven economy. The text challenges common perceptions by arguing that the federal project of integration reached a turning point around 1970, fundamentally altering how legitimacy and unification are understood in a modern context. This work is an essential resource for those studying the history of European politics, economic shifts, and the tension between market integration and democratic ideals.