Since the beginning of the 1980s, an increase in the number of fixed-term employment contracts has been apparent in a number of free-market-oriented economies. This has been accompanied by amendments to the pertinent legislation. From the early to mid-1980s, a number of EC countries initiated...

The British Government's proposal to develop the ECU gradually into a "hard" European currency has begun to be viewed in a more positive light. What principles are at the heart of this proposal? Does a "hard" ECU have advantages over the existing ECU? What are its chances as a parallel currency?

European Economic and Monetary Union is currently in the course of preparation by an inter-governmental conference. What are the benefits and risks associated with European monetary union? What essential requirements need to be fulfilled when the agreements are concluded?

The 1992 EC budgetary procedure and its outcome illustrated two things. Firstly, after the relative calm of the past few years, the budget is moving back up the political agenda in the Community. Secondly, it is becoming clearer which issues will figure most prominently in the debate on the...

Economic insecurity and poverty represent a growing problem in the European Community today, with the re-emergence of absolute poverty on a scale unknown since the 1940's. Are we creating a new “underclass” in the midst of our still prosperous societies?