International Politics In Europe

Throughout much of Europe the preoccupation with military security that dominated political thinking after the end of the Second World War has given way to an emphasis upon mutual interdependence. But what does this mean, both theoretically and practically, terms of a new agenda? The focus of this book is upon four main issues: economic development; security; the environment; and human rights. These are of course not in themselves new issues, but during the period of the Cold War, they were subordinated to the ideological division of the continent. Now they have emerged as decisive in the way in which Europe will develop. The authors examine the four issues in depth, and draw out the links between them. They also examine the various levels at which these problems exist - the level of the system , of the state and of the individual. Thus it is possible for them to illustrate general issues with specific reference to local, national and Europe-wide political debates.