Protection and Industrial Policy in Europe

Although the authors recognize the limits of classical trade theory in a world of imperfect competition and government intervention, they reject most of the arguments for protection as unlikely to enhance European competitiveness in the world or improve the integration of the European Community. They see little chance of agreement on a coordinated Community industrial policy but think protection is more likely to be provided for new than for old industries. Along the way are useful summaries of policies and attitudes in France, Britain, Germany and occasionally other countries. A very good book, refreshingly free from loose generalizations about "protectionism" and "free trade."