The European Union. From Jean Monnet To The Euro

The transformation of Europe since the end of World War II has been astounding. In 1945, a battle-scarred continent lay in ruins. Today, it has achieved a level of prosperity, and stability that few people could have anticipated. The life and career of the French statesman Jean Monnet and the recent adoption of the "euro" as Europe's common currency represent the bookends of this five-decade metamorphosis. This collection of essays, drawn from the lectures of the Baker Conference at Ohio explores Monnet's vision of an integrated Europe, its gradual implementation, and the social, economic, and international consequences. The scholarship focuses on Monnet's life, personality, and legacy, the development of social policy within the European Union (EU), the economic and national security implications of the EU, and the continuation of an American presence in Europe through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This significant collection will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and the general public on both sides of the Atlantic who seek to understand these critical aspects of Europe's post-1945 development.