Europe as I See it

1 A major statement by the President of the European Commission 2 Presents a vision for Europe and its future by one of the most powerful political figures in the European Union.

What does "Europe" mean as we enter the 21st century? A rapidly--expanding club of nation states? A large single market in which labour, goods and services can move freely? A centralizing superstate run by unelected bureaucrats? An economic giant but a political pygmy on the world stage? Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, tackles these and other questions in this important new book. It offers both a political vision and a personal statement by one of the most important political figures in Europe today. Central to Prodia s vision of Europe -- what it can and should be -- are the ideals of the European Uniona s founding fathers: Adenauer, De Gasperi, Monnet, Schuman. Their goal was a peaceful democratic Europe in which all the peoples of our continent could live together in security, freedom, justice and equality. The path towards that goal, argues Prodi, is inextricably bound up with economics. As the EUa s Member States voluntarily pool their national sovereignty, especially monetary sovereignty, that dream -- that vision of Europe -- is gradually coming true. This book will be of great interest to anyone concerned with Europe and its future.

Introduction. PART I United Europe, Half a Century in the Making. 1. A Vision of Europe. 2. Latin Culture and Germanic Culture in the Creation of Europe. 3. In search of Europea s Soul. 4. Europe in an Interdependent World. PART II Europe and the Mediterranean. 5. Mediterranean Countries and the European Union. 6. The Single Currency, Technological Competition and the Mediterraneana s New Role. PART III Europe on The World Stage. 7. Europe and Asia at the Turn of the Century. 8. European Industry and Finance up Against International Competition. 9. The Economy and the Technological Position of European Industry. 10. Employment in Europe.