Dimitrios Syrrakos

The EU, Taxation and the Multinationals

This section analyses the EU’s relationship with the multinationals and its member states regarding corporate tax avoidance and tax evasion policy within the Single Market. Brussels is now taking a robust approach in leading the fight against tax avoidance by the world’s multinationals in an effort to stem the flow of tax revenues escaping to offshore tax havens within the EU.

The EU and China, Russia and Security Strategy

This chapter looks at relations between the European Union (EU), Russia and China - framed in terms of both trade and security. The relationship between China and the EU is explored in terms of the mutual commercial interests developed over a number of years. This is all in marked contrast to the EU’s relations with Russia. Europe has been dominated by Russia’s occupation of Crimea – for which the EU maintains a policy of economic sanctions – also Russia’s part in fuelling the crisis in Ukraine, and its military sabre rattling alarming the EU ‘Visegrad’ and Baltic States

Brexit and the Referendum Vote

This chapter deals with the seismic impact of the Brexit referendum, and the consequences of the impending British exit – both for the nation and the EU as a whole. It looks at the growing mood of Eurosceptism since the ongoing Eurozone and migration crises of the region – coupled with a general discontent with an economic order perceived as rigged by business and political elites. Millions of UK (and EU) citizens have for a long time felt disenfranchised from both the political decision-making processes and the supposed benefits of globalisation; and, in tandem with this, voters of all major parties have grown ever more hostile towards the free movement of peoples. Brexit is discussed as a culmination of these forces, and its likely consequences are examined in detail.

The Eurozone Debt Crisis

This chapter deals with the debt crisis in further detail and the problematic austerity measures taken to contain it – most notably, the Greek bailout. It also explores the inherent problem of fixed exchange rate regimes in the European Monetary Union.

Brexit and the Economy

The chapter looks at the economic impact of Brexit, both immediately and as hypothesized in the longer term. This is combined with a review of the state of the British economy since 2010. We look at the impact of the Quantitative Easing programme deployed by the Bank of England, the impact of the plunge in sterling since the Referendum and the issues surrounding low-negative interest rates.

Europe at a Crossroad

In this chapter, we explore the key economic problems the European Union (EU) is facing, namely the crises of the Eurozone and its inability to promote economic growth in the wider Single Market. Here, we go back to the political and economic foundations of the Euro in the Maastricht Treaty, the creation of a ‘two-tier’ EU, and the background of the European debt crisis – with its epicentre in Greece.