After 1992 : The United States of Europe (Routledge Library Editions: Politics of the European Union)

After 1992 (1989) argues that the changes of 1992 will precipitate the transformation of the European Community into a full political and economic union, organized according to federal principles. In a thorough examination of its responsibilities in the monetary, economic, social and cultural spheres, it traces the European Community’s progress towards its objective of European Union. It suggests further reforms to ensure the Union’s competitiveness, and suggests ways in which national cultural identities can be preserved within a federal structure. In particular, it introduces the principle of restricting federal powers to those matters that need common solutions and management, ensuring maximum autonomy and self-government in local communities and regions.