The Reasons Of The Relaunching Of European Integration In The Middle And Late 1980s

In the era of economic globalization and economic regionalization, the European Union is an outstanding example of economic regionalization, which has the longest history, the deepest integration and the best organizational system. However, behind the present glories there were various twists and turns in its developing road.In the 1970s European integration plunged into a difficulty and the European Community was regarded as suffering from Eurosclerosis. European integration didn't speed up until the middle and late 1980s. At that time European integration successfully realized relaunching with the passing of Single European Act as the symbol. Many factors in the objective environment and the subjective forces contributed to the relaunching of European integration.There were four favorable internal environment conditions. Firstly, the successful establishment of the European Monetary System provided a stable monetary environment and intergovernmental policy-coordination system. Secondly, the settlement of the U.K. problem removed a big obstacle. Thirdly, the U.K., France and the Federal Germany chose the similar economic policy, which provided an indispensable market environment for the construction of the Single Market. Fourthly, the enlargement of the European Community greatly stimulated the enthusiasm of the member countries. On the other hand there were three favorable external conditions. Firstly, the members of the European Free Trade Association joined the European Community one after another since the 1970s, which established the European Community as the main body of European integration. Secondly, the trade toward East Europe and the Soviet Union achieved a sustainable development, which created the advantageous external environment. Thirdly, the competition pressure from the U.S.A. and Japan became the direct motive power ofthe relaunching. In addition, the obvious enhancement of economic globalization promoted the development of European integration.When the internal and external conditions of the relaunching are ripe, various subjective forces, including the governments, the European Community organizations, non-governmental organizations and the European elite, took active steps to promote European integration. The governments which controlled the direction and speed of the relaunching played a chief role. The European Community organizations which manipulated the specific affairs and routine work played as the operator of the relaunching. Non-governmental organizations and the European elite lobbied between the governments and the EC organizations, which tremendously promoted the development of European integration.