"The implications of economic and social cohesion on the Community's institutional architecture after the creation of the single market: the role of transregional networks"

Leonardi, Robert. (1991) "The implications of economic and social cohesion on the Community's institutional architecture after the creation of the single market: the role of transregional networks". In: UNSPECIFIED, Fairfax, Virginia. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

[From the Introduction]. During the last three decades, students of the European Community have become familiar with one of the axioms of the social sciences: the interrelationship between politics and economics. Social science has historically acknowledged that economic changes do have an impact on political institution, and economists do study the economic impacts of political institutions (Norton, 1991). However, Political Scientists have been reluctant to openly acknowledge that the current move toward the creation of a single market after December 31, 1992 might have a significant impact on the institutional architecture of the European Community as suggested by the topics being discussed in the two intergovernmental conferences (IGCs) of 1991: economic and monetary union and political reform. The theoretical assumption made by the organizers of the IGCs is that: attempts to change markets and the structures and rules of economic interaction will have an impact on institutions; or even more forcefully, it is argued by some in the European Parliament and Commission that for real changes to be made in the management of a larger market the Community needs to create new political institutions or significantly strengthen the existing ones that provide a democratic base to the legislative process (PE 148.864/fin). We are not suggesting that economics causes politics, but the two are intimately connected as was well illustrated by the repercussions of the Single European Act which in one stroke completely changed the dynamic of European integration.

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