POL 2 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Acquis Communautaire
Document Summary
Economic growth is accompanied by profound social transformation. In theory, social transformations caused by economic growth/development creates working class and middle class with skills and incentives to demand greater political representation (britain?) American"s model (until 2003, invasion of iraq) Democracy will provide the institutional basis for economic growth. Invasion would start a trend in the middle east proven to be a complete failure. Once a country reaches a certain level of economic development, then democracy is good for growth. Eu model of development: democracy, market, and eu institutions. Economy: country must have a functioning market economy . Passage of acquis communautaire - eu law. Prosperity results from combination of political and economic competition. Institutional basis for european style political economy is complicated: Total transformation of political and economic institutions. Eu provides significant aid and support to ensure success. Voters punish leaders who implement economic reform in the short run. Economic development increases personal/economic freedom - it is positive.