Research Group Annotated Bibliography

The European Commission Representation in the United Kingdom. 1998 Online. Available: http://www.cec.org.uk/index.htm. 23 February 1999. This website's purpose is to represent the European Commission in the UK, to disseminate information to UK citizens, to explain the impact of EU policies for Britons on a local and national level, and to correct any misinformation published by the press. It is a comprehensive site containing EU press releases, Euro exchange rates, places and events where Britons can learn further information from, and an extensive list of links to other significant EU web sites regarding treaties, EU business advice, as well as links to other EU web sites. This site provided us with the positive effects of the EU on Britain and dispelled some "Euromyths".

The Labour Party. "The Labour Party's Manifesto 97." 1997. BBC: Elections '97. Online. Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/election97/background/parties/manlab/labman.html. 10 February 1997. This is the political propaganda manifesto that the Labour Party used during their bid for power in the 1997 elections in Britain. It details where they stand on a broad number of issues from national to international, such as health care, education, crime, and Europe and the EU. It also details what their goals and intentions are, as opposed to what they believe their opponents are, for issues of importance to the average Briton. This document was important for our group in determining what Labour's ultimate vision is of Britain's place in the EU.

"The ABC of the European Union-Citizenship." 23 February 1997. European Commission. Online. Available: http://europa.eu.int/abc-en.htm. 7 February 1999. Like its title suggests, this section of the Europa website provides basic background information on the EU, covering such things as its history, founding documents, member states, and the EU flag and anthem. It also describes the rights of all EU citizens, including citizens' fundamental rights, individual democratic rights and freedom of movement rights. This section of the Europa website provides links to the treaties of the EU, which safeguard these citizens' rights. This subsection of the Europa website was invaluable in providing historical and background information on the EU.

"Policies of the European Union." 23 February 1997. European Commission. Online. Available: http://europa.eu.int/pol/index-en.htm. 7 February 1999. This subsection of the European Union's website, Europa, provides invaluable data about the EU policies on a number of issues that effect all EU states, nationally and internationally. It covers the EU's policies on such issues as, international drug trafficking, consumer protection, humanitarian aid, and taxation issues. Once you have identified a particular policy or issue of interest, this site provides links to other sites and documents containing all background information on the subject. We were able to use this site to hone in on issues of importance to Britons.

Get Ready for the Euro. 1998 Online. Available: http://www.euro.gov.uk. 15 January 1999. Sponsored by Her Majesties Treasury, this site is the official UK Government website for the euro. Get Ready for the Euro links business owners to the most frequently asked questions and answers about the euro, helps them to prepare for euro integration and provides specific information about whether the UK should or will join EMU. Also presented in this site is comprehensive information about how businesses will be affected by the euro. For our report, this website furnished extensive information on the impact of the euro on the Britain's economy, and businesses.

Kellner, Peter. "Truth behind the Latest Euro Scare." 2 December 1998. Evening Standard: This is London. Online. Available: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/story.html?in_id=95909&in_review_text_id=7726. 28 February 1999. In addition to exposing many of the myths surrounding Britain's membership in the euro, this article presents the truth about the many rumors behind European Union tax harmonization. Two of the most pertinent pieces of information surrounding tax harmonization are also presented in this article. Kellner points out Britain's ability to veto any European tax proposals and suggests that some harmonization is necessary to avoid harmful tax competition among member states. This article is extremely helpful in that it introduces all the important issues surrounding tax harmonization and how that harmonization will affect Britain and Britain's economy.

"Special Report: Countdown to the Euro." 8 December 1998. BBC. Online. Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/events/the_launch_of_emu/euro_home/default.htm. 22 January 1999. Countdown to the Euro is an excellent source for the most current news reports on Britain, the European Union and the euro. The first page allows a reader to choose from the top ten stories or search for "more" with a simple link. The site also contains links such as The UK Government's Website, the European Commission Euro Website, and EmuNet. For our group, this site was an excellent way to keep up with the most current news regarding Britain and the European Union and the euro.

"The Euro: The Continent's New Currency." 1999. PA News Center. Online. Available: http://www.pa.press.net/news/backgrounder/euro/main.html. 2 February 1999. With a comprehensive list of important facts about the euro, this site familiarizes the reader with euro basics. The site provides data on pound facts, a timetable for the monetary union and information pertaining to the pound versus the euro. There are two sections within this site that aided our research group. One section provides a key to all of the acronyms used in relation to the monetary union and allowed us to better understand other readings. The other helpful section presented answers to the top ten questions about what joining the euro means for Britain. This site helped our research group better understand euro basics.

"Headline: The European Union and International Relations; European Union; The Debate on Federalism and The Maastricht Treaty." UK: Medium-Term Political Outlook. 3 September 1998: Features, 10. Academic Universe. Online. Lexis/Nexis. This article gives a brief history of the Maastricht Treaty, how it relates to the United Kingdom and how the politicians, commentators and voters originally perceived themselves in that relation. It also articulates the main pros and cons of the argument from both Britain's parties' perspectives. The pro-federalists argue that the European Union will provide peace and prosperity. The Eurosceptics proclaim that entry will threaten sovereignty. In addition, this article provides several different polls taken regarding Britain and Europe's opinions and positions. This is useful information for research in the understanding of the different argumentative points surrounding the issues as they relate to Britain and the EU.

"Blair's Second Front." The Times (London). 23 October 1998: Features, 8. Academic Universe. Online. Lexis/Nexis. 2 February 1999. This article depicts Tony Blair's position in favor of joining the European Union where it is in opposition to the Tory Party. He uses a defense identity strategy for his support on a unified defense system. It explains his proposal and the importance of a European security unity for a military structure. This he suspects would alleviate any further military meddling from the United States in European affairs. It gives examples of how the United Nations has faltered in security matters. This article is relevant to the political issues pertaining to defense of Britain and Europe countries as a whole.

"Working with the Euro." 22 November 1998. The Times. Online. Available: http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/resourse/infotimes1.n.html?999. 20 January 1999. This section from The Times website consists of a section called "Working with the Euro" that supplies ample articles supporting the single currency. Most of these pertain to the British business aspect and are very positive. One articles explains how European industries plan to consult with their customers about the possible change over. Another characterizes the misrepresenting risks to shareholders of business traders recording in one currency and reporting in another. Still others suggest how the euro makes for simpler price comparisons, and the advantageous benefits of marketing competitiveness. This site is especially useful for our research because it takes the British business community into consideration.

Free Britain. 1998 Online. Available: http://www.freebrit.demon.co.uk/. 5 February 1999. This website contains many links for and against Britain joining the European Union including one that presents the EU's goals and policies. One link in particular entails the general information on the European Monetary Union and European community. While it is predominately anti-EU, it does consist of a considerable amount of links advocating support for the Union. The eurosceptic links are dedicated to fighting to keep their national identity, self-government, their own laws and currency. For research, this site, with a directory of links, assists our group with the prevailing arguments necessary for understanding the main issues surrounding Britain the EU.

"Building Europe Together." European Commission. 23 February 1997. Online. Available: http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg10/build/en/main.htm. 7 February 1999. This website focuses on issues surrounding the development of the European Union. The intent of the website is to stimulate questions and concerns in which to provide a platform where thses concerns can be related to others via internet. Initiated by the European Parliament and the European Commission, it setout to respond to some of the following questions pertaining to the creation of the EU: employment, internal security, enlargement, external security, and foreign policy, culture, health, and education. The site is beneficial in locating data that is useful in the promotion of social benefits the EU offers to its member states. At this time, the site is non-biased in that it is useful to anyone who may be in opposition to the EU. In relation to the research for our group presentation, this site assists in answering some of the concerns of those in Britain and also how those who were surveyed felt regarding such issues.

UK Presidency of the European Union. 1997 Online. Available: http://presid.fco.gov.uk/ newfront.html. 24 February 1999. A website maintained by the Information Department of the foreign and Commonwealth Office. It is dedicated to providing a historical prospective of the accomplishments that were achieved during the UK presidency of the EU. In listing achievements, which will effect all in the EU, this site provides information on how the achievements will more specifically affect the citizens of the UK. This site describes how policy issues were developed and the affects they will have on the quality of life throughout the member states. This information assisted our research group in understanding the continuity for greater growth and its effectiveness in relation to past, present and the anticipated future of the EU.

European Networking Programmes Home Page. 1998 Online. Available: http://britcoun.org/ european/main.htm. 24 February 1999. A charitable organization in England, The British Council, has constructed a website to promote a dialog amongst the percipients' who attended the conferences the organization sponsored. Siscussion papers written by conference attendees focus on Britain's role in relation to the EU and the rest of the world community. Information throughout this website, particularly the papers, provides good sources of differing attitudes and viewpoints which are in agreement and disagreement of Britain's role in the EU.

"We have ways of making you the same." The Times. 15 January 1999. Online. Available: http://www.Sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/tim/99/01/15/timfeafea01001.html?3147594. 26 January 1999. A satirical editorial in The Times which expresses the feelings of many in Britain when the concerns of European Union identity and British identity are at issue. With a focus of European unity, humor is found in the editorial when discussing such topics as health, in which "infections will be harmonized across Europe," to topics on language, mockingly describing the creation of a Eurolanguage. The editorial was beneficial, in light if its humor, in that it expressed the emotions of those who are tired of focusing on the EU.

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