This book analyses ancient Greek federalism by focusing on one of the most organised and advanced Greek federal states, the Achaean Federation Sympoliteia. Unlike earlier studies that mainly focused on its political history, this book adopts an interdisciplinary approach, analysing aspects of the economic organization and institutions, and the political economy of the Achaean Federation, and combining these findings with political history. It also discusses the strategic choices made by significant historical figures such as generals Aratos and Philopoemen. The analysis of the Achaean Federation verifies the intertemporal federal axiom, which states that the success and viability of federal experiment is achieved when the benefits of participation for the member-states exceed the costs of conferring national sovereignty on supranational federal authorities.
The book further argues that the Achaeans developed a system of sophisticated direct democratic procedures in decision-making on federal matters, as well as significant and highly sophisticated (for the era) economic institutions and federal practices, in order to achieve bonds of trust and legitimacy regarding their innovative federal structure. These practices included, among others, the creation of free market type economic institutions, a monetary union, federal budget, provision of public goods and a common defense and security policy for all the Achaean city-state members. Lastly, the book relates these findings to ideas on how the Achaean Federation would have dealt with a series of current global issues, such as European Union integration and problems such as Euroscepticism, Brexit and immigration.

Offers an interdisciplinary approach on ancient Greek federalism Provides detailed insights into the economic and political organization of the Achaean Federation Explains how the Achaean Federation would have faced a series of current global issues

Autorentext

Emmanouil M.L. Economou holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Thessaly, Department of Economics and he is currently an Adjunct Lecturer at the same. His research focuses on Economic History, Institutional Economics, International Political Economy, Public Economics and Defence Economics.He has already published several books in Greek and English language and contributed to numerous international collective books and prestigious peer-reviewed journals in both languages. He is also a reviewer in various academic journals.

Inhalt
Introduction: The Methodology of Analysing the Institutions of the Achaean Federal State (Sympolity).- The Achaean Sympolity (389-146): The Political History.- Interpreting the Defeat of the Achaean Sympolity by Rome Through a Defence Economics Perspective.- Aratus of Sicyon: The Great Leader of the Achaean Sympolity During the Period 245-213.- Philopoemen of Megalopolis: 'The Last Great Greek'.- The Political Institutions of the Achaean Sympolity.- The Economic Institutions of the Achaean Federal State.- Further Key Issues Regarding the Achaean Sympolity.