Books

Crisis In Economics? Studies in European Political Economy

This is the eight volume published under the name of the author. The book consists of four main parts. Part One, chapters 1 and 2, are devoted to the epistemological and methodological debate about the meaning, social relevance and future of economics as a social science discipline. Part Two is devoted to theories of institutional change and transformation, with the benefit of hindsight. Here the two focal points are the reasons for the large degree of spontaneity of change and also for the lastingly divergent transition trajectories. Additionally a new type of macroeconomic populism is being diagnosed among the causes of the 2007-2009 debacle.

Part Three is devoted to various aspects of Europeanization. Chapter five asks if and under what angle EU enlargement has been premature. Chapters six and seven are devoted to the state, future and strategic options for the European Union. Finally Chapter eight synthetizes the overlaps between European and transition studies. It sheds some light on how constitutionalism in general and rules-based behavior in particular areas could contribute to a more efficient strategy of development in Europe.

Finally Part four wraps up the findings and returns to broader implications from empirical investigations. Adopting the angle of developmental theory it asks what is to be learned from the east European experience? And conversely if transition related or broader, more general considerations explain longer term success? The latter may include the need to avoid all forms of a predatory state, while also rejecting the mirage of a minimal state. Developmental considerations may, and indeed be fed back to broader theories of economic change at the more abstract levels as well.

The book, as the subtitle suggests, can be used in classroom for a variety of audiences. It still forms an integrated structure where feedbacks from the individual areas may be conducive to better understanding of the whole. Broad referencing and statistical evidence supports the claims of the author. Written in a non-technical style it is intended to draw attention from a varity of audiences, such as economists, political scientists, IR specialists and business executives.