The Origins of European Integration

Bringing together political, diplomatic, economic, cultural, and contemporary history, this book explores why and how European integration came to pass. It tells a fascinating story of ideals and realpolitik, political dreams and geographical realities, and planning and chaos. Mathieu Segers reveals that the roots of today's European Union lie deep in Europe's past and encompass more than war and peace, or diplomacy and economics. Based on original archival and primary source research, Segers provides an integrated history of the beginnings of European integration and the emergence of post-war Western Europe and today's European Union. The Origins of European Integration offers a broad perspective on the genealogy of post-war Western Europe, providing readers with a deeper understanding of contemporary European history and the history of transatlantic relations.

Mathieu Segers is Professor of Contemporary European History at Maastricht University. He is general editor of The Cambridge History of the European Union and has previously held positions as research fellow at Harvard University and at the University of Oxford. His book The Netherlands and European Integration, 1950 to Present was awarded the Dutch PrinsjesBoeken prize for best political book in 2013. Segers is a member of The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy.