Governing Europe in a Globalizing World. Neoliberalism and its Alternatives after 1973

What is it about?

The book examines how Western Europe adapted its economic and social policies to the shock of Globalization. It focuses on the period ranging from 1973 to 1986 and it provides a broader interpretative framework of the relationship between Europe and globalization. Governing Europe challenges the narrative of the inevitable emergence of a neoliberal Europe by demonstrating that alternatives were discussed and implemented. Hence, it examines the interaction between three models of economic and social policies : socially-oriented, neomercantilist and market-oriented Europe. Neoliberal policies fit into the last category as a radical variant of market-oriented policies. The book compares the European Economic Community with other international institutions (ILO, OECD, etc.) in order to understand why did European leaders chose to pool sovereignty in certain areas but not in another. Based on newly uncovered archival materials from archives of national, international and transnational actors scattered over across seven countries, it provides a fresh perspective on characters such as Thatcher, Delors, Schmidt or Kohl.

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Why is it important?

There was no inexorable march towards a neoliberal Europe. Thanks to countless sources gathered in 7 countries, Laurent Warlouzet demonstrates that many alternatives were devised and even implemented after 1973. This book the current debate over the EU crisis into perspective.

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