Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the foundations for the analysis. It provides a theoretical treatment of the dynamics of the integration process. The book presents an overview of the process of integration, which makes it easier to understand the present dynamics. It deals with the liberalisation of the markets for production factors. The book describes first the European Union (EU) regulatory framework. The integration of markets of products and of production factors permits entrepreneurs to make their operations more efficient. The book also deals with policy integration; the objective is to create the conditions for a balanced growth of the EU economy. It addresses primarily two groups of readers. First it addresses students – in particular students who are following courses on European integration. Second, it for all those professionally interested in the economic aspects of European integration in the widest sense.