POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES OF INCREASED
This research examines the political and economic implications for the United States of increased European integration. European integration began a further giant step forward on 1 January 1992, when the Single Act of Luxembourg became effective. The Single Act provides for much greater economic integration of the 12 members countries of the European Community (EC); however, the Act also portends greater political integration in the future.
The EC has emerged as one of the three world economic powers, along with the United States and Japan. Non member states are apprehensive over the implications of both further economic and political integration of the EC. The EC has declared that the Single Act is not intended to create a fortress Europe. The statement is likely true on its face; however, the potential for the development of a more closed economic community is clearly present.1 An inability to reach agreement with the United States on agricultural subsidies, as an example, would not be as problematic to an EC characterized by complete economic integration, as it did to the organization in 1988 when it was confronted with such a situation. In such a situation, or in similar situations, the more than 320 Europeans might be inclined to freeze out the rest of the world, and thrive within their own circled wagons. The very thought of such a potential action
1"A United States of Europe?" National Review, 19 August 1988, 18 19.
causes many other European countries to consider an attempt to join the EC, and prompts many non European countries, such as the United States, to seek greater integration in their own regions.
NATO and Other External Political Activities of the European Community With A Potential
To Affect the United States The external relations of the EC with respect to the United States have undergone greater change than hav...