Introduction

European integration has achieved a great deal. In many ways it has

been a triumph. But there are dangers in underestimating the present

difficulties. In external relations the achievement is still modest; as will be

seen, in internal arrangements the difficulties in the way of further inte-

gration are increasing. In this context, Mark Leonard’s prediction that

‘Europe will run the 21st century’ must be seen as overoptimistic, even

by europhiles.1