ABSTRACT
What place does Europe occupy in the international economic order? While this might seem to be a straightforward question, to answer it properly means addressing a set of preliminary questions about which there is considerable debate, ambiguity and even controversy. Over what time period are we to judge the importance of Europe? With which other parts of the globe do we compare Europe? Indeed, what is meant by the term ‘Europe’ anyway? Furthermore, the economic order can be measured in relation to a number of different dimensions. Is it wise to address just the economic position of Europe without, at the same time, looking at its political or cultural roles and at how these roles might connect to the economic realm?
