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Article: On the verge of Europe. (influence of Great Britain in the European Economic Community)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- June 11, 1994
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1994 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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WHEN Britain joined the European Economic Community in 1973, many continental Europeans looked forward to the prospect of three countries, rather than just two, leading the enterprise. Smaller member states, especially, looked to Britain to weaken the Franco- German hegemony and occasionally speak up for their interests. Britain's economy responded to the European challenge (see chart on next page), but not its politicians. For most of the past 20 years, France and Germany have remained in control while Britain has often seemed rather travel-sick. Despite constant strains in their alliance, neither France nor Germany thinks a troika could be a viable alternative, for Britain ...