Forum. The post-Brexit European Union
De Grauwe, Paul ; Vargas-Silva, Carlos ; Lannoo, Karel ; Qvortrup, Matt
Intereconomics. Review of European Economic Policy
2016
51
5
September - October
248-264
democracy ; European Union ; financial market ; future ; migration ; Brexit
European Union
English
Bibliogr.
"It is no understatement to categorise the UK's decision to leave the European Union as one of the biggest geopolitical events in modern European history. On 23 June 2016, a slight majority of 52% of the UK's voting citizens decided to opt for isolationism and protectionism over globalisation and the free movement of goods, services and people. The European project has never suffered a setback like this, and questions over the very future of the project must be asked in the wake of this reality in which one of the EU's major powers has decided to opt out. Although history is currently being rewritten with the benefi t of hindsight, portraying Brexit as an inescapable inevitability since the UK fi rst entered the EEC in 1973, it is important to remember how much of a shock the result was at the time. While it is too soon to expect detailed studies on the full consequences of Brexit, the situation can be analysed using the data we already have: the economic and legal framework that exists between the UK and the EU. Through this lens, we can look at the possible future relationship between the two actors and perhaps better understand how they grew apart. This Forum examines Brexit from a variety of angles, ranging from London's status as the fi nancial centre of Europe to intra-EU migration to the very future of the European project."
Digital
The ETUI is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the ETUI.