I movimenti per l’unità europea, 1979-2009. Uno sguardo introduttivo

The movements for European unity, 1979-2009. An introductory overview

Abstract

Movements for European unity have been a major factor in European construction, both in the field of deepening the problems and opportunities of European integration as well as of raising public awareness of European issues. On some occasions, they have been able to address the course of events through an assiduous work of “pressure” on governments and power centers and an important role in clarifying the issues of sovereignty. After presenting the state of the research on the subject, the essay focuses attention on three particularly significant moments in which the action of the movements has been distinguished: the direct elections of the European Parliament, the action of the Crocodile Club for institutional reform, the action for monetary unification.