German Unification in European Perspective Book

A new powerhouse now sits at the heart of Europe. The German nation of 80 million people must overcome the difficulties of rapid unification if it is to fulfil its potential, and the immediate problems of absorbing 16 million East Germans into the European Community are being watched and analyzed with great care. The success or failure of the unification will be felt by all the key players both economically and politically, and the experiences gained from managing such radical changes are seen as models, particularly by the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe. Accordingly, German experience, finance and technology have a central role to play in the reshaping of Europe, and the decisions and actions made now will bring about great changes with far-reaching consequences in the structure of both the EC and Europe as a whole as the 21st century approaches. Written by specialists from major research institutions and the European Commission, this is a study of the phenomenon of German unification, set against the background of European integration.Read More