The very great diversity of the regional situations in Europe requires, if you wish to get a clear view of the present state and of the development of the regional disparities during the last years, the use of simple and synthetic indicators as the per capita GDP for the economic disparities and...

There exist many possible approaches to analyse the poverty and wealth of regions (growth theory, economic base theory, polarised growth theories, dependence theories, centre vs. periphery approaches). All these line of research frequently tend to be one-side, and some times too particularised,...

To begin with, we present some features of the regional development in France, insisting on the concentration and specialization phenomena shown by the regional economies. We will see that the territory of France, despite important transformations especially in favour of the South of the...

The social and economic cohesion across the European territory represents one of the main tasks of the European Community. This goal goes along with the objective to reach a balance and sustainable growth and economic convergence at the regional and country level, as well as to avoid income and...

This paper examines certain aspects both of the geographical and international economy when analysing the phenomena of national and regional specialisation. First of all the factors of specialisation are examined by directing our attention particularly to the conclusions which can be drawn from...

Economic historians and geographers have recognised a ‘dualism’ in the economic development of the UK – a divide between the northern and southern parts of the country - dating back over several centuries. The ‘regional problem’ in the UK has become increasingly difficult to define and...

The paper is articulated in three sections. It first confronts three distinct theoretical approaches, which have been defined as: neo-liberal, corporate and local development model. Then it presents a rather extensive data base of key economic indicators, which allow to appreciate the relevance...

It is an obvious statement that the first 21st century enlargement of the European Union is a very important and meaningful event, both for the old and the new Member States, their societies and their economies. It is also an obvious statement that for both sides, as well as for the whole of...

The following paper examines the arguments about enlargement and cohesion with a summary of one of the preparatory studies undertaken for the Second Cohesion Report, as well as references to some of the Commission’s own research. The paper then outlines some of the options for the future of EU...