Eurosclerosis or Europeanisation? European Integration in the Times of Helmut Schmidt and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

The 1970s are commonly known as a decade which witnessed only few advances, if not setbacks, in the process of European integration. However, two protagonists of this time, German chancellor Helmut Schmidt and French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, consider themselves as the architects of important projects, pushing forward the unification of Europe and giving the community a more coherent voice in international affairs. In addition, recent comparative research suggests that Western European countries embarked in the 1970s on a process ongoing until today and making their societies more similar. Thus, the question arises whether the commonly held view of a period of "eurosclerosis" needs to be reconsidered. To which degree are the 1970s a productive era of European integration, the prelude to the major steps made in the 1980s? Which role plays the recession of the 1970s for the evolution of European integration? What are the indicators for a Europeanisation of our societies in the 1970s?

"L'Europe en Formation" welcomes proposals for articles to appear in the Fall 2009 issue of the journal and in its online version. Articles can cover a variety of topics:
- Societal changes in Western European countries
- Comparative perspectives on the social history of Western Europe in the 1970s
- Evolution and repercusssions of European policies
- Institutions
- Political leaders

Proposals shouldn't be longer than 500 words and can be written either in English or French. They should be accompanied by a CV of the author. Please send propositions by email to recherche.iehei@wanadoo.fr

Please submit your proposal by February 28th, 2009. The contributors will be selected by members of the scientific committee of the journal. Selected authors will be notified by March 20th, 2009.