Martin Elvins' book is the first to trace the evolution of anti-drugs policies at European Union level from the late 1960s to the present. Phases of drug policy development, key policy actors and institutions are described with particular reference to the influence of transnational networks of expertise. Policy development is placed in the context of both European integration and a broad harmonization of international policies against drug trafficking. Concerns are also raised about secretive and anti-democratic features on intergovernmental EU decision-making.

'This fascinating study casts a sharp light on the intricate and multi-layered interactions of bureaucracy and politics in European Union decision-making.' - Sol Picciotto, Lancaster University Law School, UK

'Martin Elvins' book systematically covers the history of European drug-policy; looking at the interplay of institutions and knowledge in shaping the agenda and guiding enforcement. Whiles states have broadened the domain of their functional authority, the policies that they actually follow are subject to institutionalized beliefs provided by transnational networks of law enforcement professionals. He treats the multiple policy networks involved in such activities, thus shedding light more broadly on the emergent politics of globalization. He raises important normative issues for advanced democratic societies about the trade offs between secrecy, state sovereignty, accountability, expertise, and good policy while states strive to maintain technocratic legitimacy.' - Peter M. Haas, Professor of Politics, University of Massachusetts

'Based on extensive and orginal research, Martin Elvins' book clearly and meticuously charts the EU's growing involvement in policies aimed at tackling the escalating international drugs problem.' - Neill Nugent, Professor of Politics and Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration, Manchester Metropolitan University

Autorentext
MARTIN ELVINS is a Lecturer in European Politics at the University of Dundee. He has a PhD from the Department of Politics and International Relations, Lancaster University.

Inhalt
List of Tables and Figures List of Acronyms and Abbreviations Map of the Member States of the European Union Introduction PART I: STATE SOVEREIGNTY, DRUGS AND GLOBAL CHANGE Transnational Threat in the 'Globalized' Era The Evolution of International Drug Control Policy Networks, Expertise and International Governance Epistemic Communities PART II: THE CONVERGENCE OF EUROPEAN DRUG ENFORCEMENT POLICIES Europe and Drugs: an Introduction MAG, Trevi, CELAD and the pre-Union blueprint for Policy-Making on Drugs European Drug Policy and Maastricht: New Momentum, Familiar Policies Expert Influence and EU Drugs Policy, 1993-1999 EU Drug Policy-Making Under the Amsterdam Treaty Case Studies PART III: CONCLUSIONS Experts, Technocracy, and European Drug Enforcement Policies Drugs, the State, and the Political System of the European Union Appendix: List of Participants in the EU Drug Expertise Missions Notes Bibliography Glossary of EU and EU-related Terms Index