For Another Europe: A Class Analysis of European Economic Integration

by Guglielmo Carchedi, Mino Carchedi

In this innovative work, Guglielmo Carchedi argues that only an analysis centered on class as the basic unit of social life, with production and distribution of value understood as the bedrock of the economy, can throw light on the internal contradictions of European economic integration.

Two specific themes emerge from this radical approach. First, familiar topics such as competition and social policy, economic and monetary union, the Common Agricultural Policy and immigration, are treated in an original manner. Second, subjects usually ignored in the standard textbooks, for instance the role of interest groups in the Union’s decision-making process, are shown to be of crucial importance in understanding the economics of the European Union. This work therefore provides both an introduction to and a critique of the European project.

The book’s central message however, is that another sort of Europe is possible, one based on the erosion of economic polarization, on the abolition of Europe’s imperialist relations with the Third World, and on the creation of truly democratic institutions of self-determination.

Genres: Economics, Politics

380 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2001

Reviews

[Göksal Caner Malatya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avrupa Birliği'ni bir "barış ve demokrasi projesi" olarak gören liberal hayallere karşı, onun aslında emperyalist bir blok ve sermayenin emeğe saldırı aracı olduğunu ekonomik verilerle ortaya koyan bir analiz. Carchedi, Maastricht kriterlerinin, Euro'nun ve AB kurumlarının, işçi sınıfının kazanımlarını budamak ve Avrupa sermayesinin küresel rekabet gücünü artırmak için tasarlandığını savunur. "Sosyal Avrupa" mitini yıkan ve enternasyonalist bir alternatif (başka bir Avrupa) için sınıf perspektifini öne çıkaran, AB tartışmaları için temel bir kaynak.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an indispensable resource for anyone trying to come to grips with the root causes of the abject failure of capitalism to meet the needs of the vast majority of humanity. If you still hold hopes that mass unemployment, world hunger, exploitation and oppression can be solved by tighter regulations and reforms of the current system, this book will dash hopes. By using the European project as a case study, Carchedi uses cold, hard maths to show that the capitalist economic system is deeply and fundamentally flawed. He proves beyond doubt that under capitalism financial crises are a mathematic inevitability, that under capitalism it is mathematically impossible for 'developing' countries to catch up to technological leaders, and that under capitalism environmental destruction is a mathematical certainty.

He offers a vision for a new Europe and a new world based on solidarity, egalitarianism, and self-determination, and free from the horrors of capitalism.

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard going. I doubt Verso would publish a book like this today. Starts off decently with a historical framing of the EU, but then descends into equations. The main message is good and important, but even as a person who feigns to understand economics, I expected something more accessible and hence was disappointed. Also, published in 2001, would need an update, although the basic message--that the EU is a project of capital, not labour--is more relevant than ever.