Document Type
Book Review
Publication Date
2013
DOI
10.1162/JCWS_r_00354
Publication Title
Journal of Cold War Studies
Volume
15
Issue
2
Pages
148-150
Abstract
The theme of this short collection of essays is stated early and plainly: “In the end, crises have strengthened European integration” (p. 3), and “There has never been more European integration than in the context or aftermath of crisis” (p. 6). These statements are true but are hardly new. The same point has been made by many in the past. This is perhaps why the process “causes both fascination and frustration” (p. 79), resulting in too much crisis talk that, Jurgen Elvert notes, is “inspired by staunch euro-skeptics to back up their respective points of view” (p. 53). “Of all the international bodies I have known,” Belgium’s Paul-Henry Spaak once thundered, “I have never found any more timorous and more impotent.” This was when the European project was small and rather modest, not yet even a Common Market. Even so, the theme is worth repeating, especially now when an existential crisis threatens Europe’s capacity to sustain its past achievements, let alone proceed with new steps toward institutional ªnality.
Original Publication Citation
Serfaty, S. (2013). Crises in European integration: Challenges and responses, 1945-2005. Journal of Cold War Studies, 15(2), 148-150. doi:10.1162/JCWS_r_00354
Repository Citation
Serfaty, Simon, "Crises in European Integration: Challenges and Responses, 1945-2005" (2013). Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications. 15.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/politicalscience_geography_pubs/15