ABSTRACT
The integration of markets and the integration of different areas of economic policy follow, in practice, a sequence of forms. In this chapter, the author describes the stages of integration in some detail, specifying markets and policies. He describes the dynamics of the integration process. Decisions on economic integration are not taken only on the basis of economic considerations, but are part of a much larger political process in which other considerations weigh very heavily too. The author also describes the essentials of the different approaches that try to respond to the questions of why and how further integration develops. He aims to make a distinction here between deepening and widening. The author defines deepening as the involvement of Union institutions in an increased number of policy matters. He also defines widening as the geographical enlargement of the Union – in other words, the increase in its membership.
