Economic determinants of economic integration agreements (EIAs) have received ample attention in the economic literature. Political motivations for such agreements have been mostly studied as functions of domestic politics or in the context of conflict. In this paper I suggest a different...

Am 18. Oktober 2007 stellten die Wirtschaftsforschungsinstitute der Projektgruppe Gemeinschaftsdiagnose in Berlin ihr Herbstgutachten der Presse vor. Ihrer Ansicht nach wird die Weltwirtschaft im Herbst 2007 immer noch kräftig expandieren, doch die konjunkturellen Risiken haben sich erhöht.

The recent "Employment and Social Developments" report by the European Commission has drawn a bleak picture of the economic situation in Europe. Unemployment levels are on record-highs, household incomes have declined, and risks of poverty and social exclusion have risen, most notably in...