ABSTRACT
A distinct feature of early European integration was the divide between the original core Europe and other Western European countries, in particular Britain and Scandinavia. While core Europe opted for supranational solutions to postwar challenges, the northern European countries preferred intergovernmental solutions as in the free trade area initiative of 1956-58 and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) formed in 1959-60. Differences in national European policies persist, although Britain and the Scandinavian countries (except Norway) are now members of the European Union (EU). Even Norway has in many ways become deeply involved in core dimensions of integration by signing and implementing the Schengen and European Economic Area (EEA) agreements.
