European Integration and Domestic Regions: A Numerical Simulation Analysis

Does European economic integration create more inequality between domestic regions, or is the opposite true? We show that a general answer to this question does not exist, and that the outcome depends on the liberalisation scenario. In order to examine the impact of European and international integration on the regions, the paper develops a numerical simulation model with nine countries and 90 regions. Eastward extension of European integration is beneficial for old as well as new member countries, but within countries the impact varies across regions. Reduction in distance-related trade costs is particularly good for the European peripheries. Each liberalisation scenario has a distinct impact on the spatial income distribution, and there is no general rule telling that integration causes more or less agglomeration.Regional inequality, international trade, European integration.

East-West Integration and the Economic Geography of Europe

Implementation of the European internal market and East-West integration has been accompanied by dramatic change in the spatial distribution of economic activity, with higher growth west and east of a longitude degree through Germany and Italy. In the east, income growth has been accompanied by increasing regional disparities within countries. We examine theoretically and empirically whether European integration as such can explain these developments. Using a numerical simulation model with 9 countries and 90 regions, theoretical predictions are derived about how various patterns of integration may affect the income distribution. Comparing with reality, we find that a reduction in distance-related trade costs combined with east-west integration is best able to explain the actual changes in Europe's economic geography. This suggests that the implementation of the European internal market or the Euro has "made Europe smaller". In Central Europe, capital regions grow faster and there are few east-west growth differences inside countries. There is no convincing support for the hypothesis that European integration had adverse effects on non-members.Income distribution, regional inequality, economic growth and convergence, European integration.

Hvorfor tager så mange bilen?

Spørgsmålet og dets besvarelse kan synes ret banalt. Der er ikke sensationelle synspunkter i foredraget. Men de anførte, faktiske omstændigheder overses ofte. De negligeres ved såvel ubetænksomhed og ved bevidst udeladelse. Det er på høje tid at inddrage disse fakta, når trafikkens udvikling (herunder forureningen) diskuteres

Sjømatnæringen og Europa : EU-medlemskap, EØS eller NOREXIT?

publishedVersio