On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the European Union experts present their analyses of historical developments and new economic challenges for the EU. After a reflection on historical dynamics, the contributors point out the dramatic economic shifts between Europe, Asia and the US. Representatives from major central banks (including the ECB), other leading banks, and academia analyze the dynamics of the Eurozone and financial market integration in the context of globalization and economic growth. Furthermore, the authors discuss the challenges of information and communication technologies by means of various country analyses. Moreover, the Schumpeterian prospects for Europe and the Lisbon Agenda, the long-term challenges of EU pension reforms, emission trading systems in the EU, and options for a new EU constitution are highlighted. At the bottom line of this EU analysis are major implications for investors, managers, policy-makers and the public at large in both the EU and the global economy.

New insights into institutional developments in the European Union, EU single market dynamics, capital market dynamics and Eurozone growth Outlook on the prospects of EU27 Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Paul J. J. Welfens, geb. 1957 in Düren, Studium der Volkswirtschaftslehre in Wuppertal, Duisburg und Paris, Promotion 1985, Habilitation1989. Inhaber des Lehrstuhls für Volkswirtschaftslehre - Schwerpunkt Makroökonomische Theorie und Politik an der Bergischen Universität Wuppertal; Präsident des Europäischen Instituts für Internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen (EIIW); Jean-Monnet-Professor für Europäische Wirtschaftsintegration; zuvor Distinguished Research Fellow am AICGS/The Johns Hopkins University, Professor an der Universität Münster bzw. Potsdam, Visiting Alfred Grosser Professor Sciences Po, Paris.

Inhalt
The European Union 50 Years On: Some Comments on Its Early History.- Global Shift The European Union, the United States, and the Emergence of China.- Growth and Competitiveness in Euro Area Economies.- Financial Market Integration and Monetary Policy.- Instability of the Eurozone? On Monetary Policy, House Prices and Structural Reforms.- Financial Markets and Global Integration.- Banking, Financial Market Dynamics and Growth in the EU Single Market.- Banking, Financial Market Structures and Growth in the EU Single Market.- Information and Communication Technology: Dynamics, Integration and Economic Stability.- The Role of Information and Communications Technology in Improving Productivity and Economic Growth in Europe: Empirical Evidence and an Industry View of Policy Challenges.- Growth, Jobs and Structural Reform in France.- Growth, Jobs and Structural Reform in the Netherlands.- Growth, Jobs and Structural Reforms in Greece.- Economic Catching-Up, Price Levels and Inflation Rates in Central and Eastern Europe.- On the Value and Need for Revising the Economic Policy Framework in the Union.- An Alternative Route to Europe An Alternative for Europe?.- Remarks on the Future Challenges of the European Union.- Applying a Comprehensive Neo-Schumpeterian Approach to Europe and Its Lisbon Agenda.- Ageing and Economic Growth in Europe Assessing the Impact of Systemic Pension Reforms.- The EU Emissions Trading System and Its Sustainability Impact on European Industry.- Is a European Constitution for an Enlarged European Union Necessary? Some Thoughts Using Public Choice Analysis.