Franco-German Relations
By Alistair Cole
October 2000
Pearson Education
ISBN: 0582319978
192 pages
$62.00 Paper Original
Suitable for use as a core text in courses of comparative European politics or in departments of Politics. Can also be used for courses that explore the Political Dynamics of the European Union. Franco-German relations lie at the heart of European integration and are central to an understanding of major issues like monetary union and foreign policy. Based on extensive research, this concise text contains a multi-level analysis of this key topic.
Describing historical background and examining contemporary debates, it considers the domestic settings of French and German politics; the internal operation of the Franco-German relationship itself; and the impact of the relationship in the wider European context. Cole provides students with a much-needed accessible introduction, and framework for theoretical analysis.
Contents
PART 1: THE FRANCO-GERMAN RELATIONSHIP: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS 1 The Franco-German Relationship in Historical Perspective 2 Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Franco-German Relations
PART 2: FRANCE, GERMANY AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION 3 The Franco-German axis: the pivot of European Union? 4 The Franco-German Relationship in the International Arena?
PART 3: SCENARIOS FOR DEVELOPMENT 5. The Changing Equilibrium of the Franco-German Relationship 6. Conclusions; Bibliography
Features
" This detailed yet succinct analysis by a key author in the field provides unrivalled coverage and perspectives on a major topic which, despite the extensive literature on European integration, has been under-researched and under-written (especially in the English language). " Empirically innovative - It contains primary documents and interviews, carried out over a ten-year period. There is an extensive review of secondary literature on France, Germany, the FGR and European Integration. - Allows students access to a large body of important research and insider views of the FGR, and provides a longitudinal as well as comparative perspective. " Theoretically coherent - It ties the study of the FGR in with appraisal of the theories of European integration, comparative politics and public policy. - By offering a unique framework for theoretical analysis it helps students to interpret findings by reference to new and existing theories, enabling them to make sense of history and set study in context.
" Up-to-date - Includes analysis of the Jospin, Schroder governments and of the German presidency of the EU in 1999. - Students are presented with recent, highly topical material. Other more general literature published in the post-cold war period does not offer such up-to-date coverage. " Temporal perspective - Observations of the FGR across history, with special reference to the evolution of the post-1989 period. - Gives students a sense of historical development and an appreciation of how European politics has changed since 1989. " Accessibly written without jargon, and with aims and objectives clearly stated at the start of sections, and summaries at the end of each chapter.
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