The European People's Party - by T Jansen (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Describes the origins (since 1925), the foundation (1978) and the evolution (until today) of the 'European People's Party' and shows how political parties are vital to the integration process within the European Union. The book examines the emergence of a transnational party system to which the Christian Democrats contribute with the EPP alongside the Social Democrats (ESP) and the Liberal Democrats (ELDR). The analysis of the political, structural and programmatic development of the EPP shows clearly that European politics have become to a large extent domestic affairs and vice versa.

Review Quotes

'The subject of this book is crucial to the future of the European Union and its political system. The growth of transnational political parties is a phenomenon which has, at best, been dealt with very inadequately, both in academic and political literature. Indeed, Thomas Jansen's book is the first monograph about the birth and development of a European party. As Secretary-General of the EPP, Thomas Jansen was for more than a decade intimately involved in the process he describes. He now turns his distinguished attention to an academic study of the subject. In his search for objectivity he has largely succeeded in putting aside his personal, practical, and political involvement. It makes for a particularly pleasing and unusual book.' - Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission

About the Author

THOMAS JANSEN studied at the universities of Bonn and Munich, before lecturing in Political Science at the University of Mainz. He was assistant to Walter Hallstein and adviser on European policy of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag, 1970-71, and then personal adviser to the chairman, Rainer Barzel MP, 1971-75. He became Deputy Secretary general and Secretary general of the European federalist movement from 1975-80. He further advanced the course of European integration in roles including the Editor-in-Chief of Dokumente. Zeitschrift fur den deutsch-franzosischen Dialog 1978-81, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Rome, 1981-83, and at the same time Honorary Secretary-general of the International European Movement. He was Secretary-general of the European People's Party (EPP) and of the European Union of Christian Democrats (EUCD), 1983-94; since 1995 he has been a Member of the Forward Studies Unit of the European Commission. He has published several books and numerous essays and articles on the problems of international relations and European unification.