Disintegrating Europe Author:Noriko Hama Since the Maastricht Treaty of December 1991, Europe has experienced rising nationalism and regionalism--both centrifugal effects working against union--and above all scepticism toward the Union concept itself. As certain of the member states fragment, or turn inward, a turning-point in history has been reached: it is the end of the post-War Eur... more »ope. As such, is it even necessary for Europe to be united at all? Is the unification ideal too large a political concept? Is the ideal of European unification dying, and have the concepts enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty become museum pieces? These are among the incisive questions asked by writer-economist Noriko Hama, in Disintegrating Europe. This approach is dramatic, readable, and compelling, and represents the first time that so qualified an economic commentator has attempted a 'big picture' view of the future of the European unification project.« less