Policy Review Section

Abstract

In this issue of the Policy Review Section, Iain Begg of the Department of Applied Economics, University of Cambridge, and David Mayes of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research examine some of the policy issues surrounding the issue of cohesion and convergence as enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty. They argue that if insufficient priority is assigned to cohesion then inevitably political pressures will slow the pace of economic integration. It is their view that present plans to strengthen the Structural Funds and establish a Cohesion Fund will be insufficient to offset market pressures on backward uncompetitive regions. The issue will present a major challenge to the EC later in the decade with the moves to a full EMU and further enlargement of the Community. In the second article Irene Bruegel of the South Bank University, London, examines some of the contradictions and ambiguities evident in the economic development of Berlin following German reunification. The city, given its history, geographical position and capital status is in a pivotal position in relation to the new East European economy, yet Bruegel argues that there remain a number of unanticipated difficulties in its transition to a successful and prosperous international city. In the third article, James Cornford of the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies and Simon Marvin of the Department of Town and Country Planning, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, examine the implications of the privatization of the distributive network utilities for public policy, focusing in particular on issues surrounding regional development and the coordination of infrastructure investment.