ABSTRACT
The studies carried out, particularly those on behalf of the European Community, concerning the regional impact of completion of the Internal Market generally conclude with a pessimistic vision from a spatial perspective. In a simplified version, they are summed up in the following statement: ‘the main effect of completion of the European Market will be to concentrate economic activity in a smaller number of places where cost reductions and scale savings are used to the best advantage’ (PA Cambridge Economic Consultants 1988). The authors reach the conclusion that increased aid to the less-favoured regions will be necessary, whilst advising that they be better adjusted to local realities than in the past. It is from this perspective of 1992 that the decision was taken by the European Community to double the Structural Funds. Such an attitude is relatively common. Consequently, it is not a matter of questioning the decision, which derives from the rule of equity, but knowing whether the appreciable quantitative effect of that measure will have a qualitative effect through more favourable economic positioning of the regions concerned, bearing in mind the economic and technological changes engendered not only by the dynamics of completion of the Internal Market, but also by techno-industrial changes in the highly industrialised countries.
