Technology policy in the European Union

Technology policy in the European Union:
'Technology Policy in the European Union', part of Macmillan's European Union series, provides an authoritative yet accessible assessment of the development, size and impact of European technology policies and a critique of their current direction. Technological change is transforming economic, political and social life at the same time as European integration in entering a new and uncertain phase. The EU is developing an important role in technology policy, with collaborative programmes in research and technological development, alongside the intergovernmental EUREKA programme, now involving many major high-tech European firms. The EU's expanding technology policy role can be justified by both competitive challenges and advantages which are more or less shared by all its member states. However, the politics of European technology policy remain lively and contentious. They reflect wider debates about the proper role of the EU in European political and economic life.

It is within this context of the wider political economy of contemporary Europe that this book provides a major new assessment of European technology policy. Chapters cover the historical background; competition, collaboration and integration; Davignon, Esprit and the Single European Act; the EUREKA programme, Maastricht and Framework IV; the question of whether there is a European technology community; decision making and what has been achieved. The conclusion continues with assessing past achievements and looking to the future.

The authors provide a useful handbook for those new to studying the subject, but there is also much of interest to those who are looking for deeper insights and analysis into European technology policy and European integration as a whole.