Neoliberal Approaches in the Model of European Economic Integration

In: Contemporary Europe, Band 105, Heft 5, S. 126-136

Abstract

A feature of the first decade of the XXI century was the shift of the EU from the second to the third position in the competition of global geographical centers of power; the beginning of the third decade was marked by the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Despite many external and internal challenges, the EU remains committed to its chosen economic model and its unique asset, the Single internal market. The article focuses on the following questions. Why did the neoliberal ideas embodied in the creation of a model for the integration of national markets receive support in Europe in the middle of the XX century? How has neoliberalism strengthened over time? Does the process of developing a common economic policy and expanding the EU's powers run counter to the development of a neoliberal idea? What alternative models compete with the European neoliberal model? How stable is the neoliberal idea in the EU? The subject of the study is the growth of supranational economic regulation in the EU. Using general scientific methods, historical, comparative analysis and abstraction, a schematic representation of the classical market model and the EU model (European model) is given, with the designation of common and special reference elements that ensure economic efficiency. The author describes the three stages of the formation of the European model. It is concluded that the EU's regulatory activities are neoliberal in nature. It is aimed at using market leverage, and the model itself retains a margin of stability. The author argues that the current stage started in 2000 is a stage of a smart neoliberal model formation.