JamesPCross

I Give Up: A Very Reluctant and Bitter ‘Yes’

To my mind, there is only one reason to vote for the “Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union” and that is cold, hard cash. What the treaty does is of dubious economic value while how it does it appears to be redundant. At best, one might make an argumentContinue reading “I Give Up: A Very Reluctant and Bitter ‘Yes’”

Roubini on the coming Spanish bailout

Nouriel Roubini advises that we “get ready for the Spanish bailout.” And given recent experiences, there’s little reason to expect that it will done well — that is, as part of a realistic strategy for avoiding a self-defeating deflationary spiral. Hold on to your seats: Europe’s rocky ride is far from over.

What’s new (and not new) in the Fiscal Treaty?

Gavin Barrett’s guest post today on irisheconomy.ie adds helpful detail on what’s new and not new in the Fiscal Treaty’s debt and deficit rules.

The implications of Hollande’s victory

In this opinion piece for EUObserver.com, I argue that Francois Hollande’s victory in France could be an important turning point in Europe’s struggle for economic recovery, but only if he broadens his agenda beyond the rhetoric of his campaign.

Some Questions About the Fiscal Treaty

The IIEA asked me a few questions about the Fiscal Treaty and videoed my anwers. Readers might find the answers of some value: They can be found here The IIEA’s general page on the Fiscal Treaty has some other useful material in it. You’ll find that here.

A growth pact?

The recent post by M.L.Paris discusses the possibility of a ‘growth pact’ arising from the election of Francois Hollande in France. But part of the problem in analysing this issue is the ambiguity about what ‘growth’ means (and how best to promote it). Consider the following statement from the Swedish Minister for Finance, speaking toContinue reading “A growth pact?”

Gavin Barrett on fiscal treaty and the risks of a ‘No’ vote

In his Irish Times opinion piece today, Dr. Gavin Barrett, senior lecturer in European law at UCD School of Law, assesses the fiscal treaty and the implications of a ‘No’ vote in the 31 May referendum.

Does EU coherence matter in foreign policy?

This new article challenges a key piece of conventional wisdom on EU foreign policy: Daniel C. Thomas (2012). Still Punching below its Weight? Coherence and Effectiveness in European Union Foreign Policy. Journal of Common Market Studies 50:3, 457-474. Abstract: Although scholars and practitioners have long argued that greater political coherence will make the EU a more effectiveContinue reading “Does EU coherence matter in foreign policy?”

The future of intergovernmentalism

Many Europeans are hoping that the (presumed) victory of Francois Hollande in Sunday’s presidential election in France will be the start of a new, less austerity-obsessed approach to Europe’s current crisis. But change in the Elysee will not address an equally important development in recent years — the declining role of community institutions in favourContinue reading “The future of intergovernmentalism”

Arriving at a Conclusion

(29/4/12)The awkwardly-entitled Thirtieth Amendment to the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill won Seanad approval on Tuesday without a vote after a two-day debate, having already been approved by the Dáil the previous Friday by a hefty 93 votes to 21. I have published some comments onContinue reading “Arriving at a Conclusion”