In search for accumulative effects of European economic integration

The forthcoming eastern enlargement of the European Union is generally perceived to constitute one of the most significant challenges to the process of European integration so far. The economic impact of the enlargement is likely to be considerable. The enlargement, as any other previous episodes of integration deepening or widening, is going to trigger various static as well as dynamic effects. Due to the increase in internal heterogeneity of the economic block, the effects are likely to be spatially asymmetric. From the point of view of both existing as well as acceding member states the dynamic growth or accumulative effect understood as a permanent change in the long-term average growth rate of GDP per capita is especially appealing. However, theoretical and empirical studies are rather inconclusive as to the very existence, direction and significance of long-term growth effects of economic integration in general and of European integration process in particular. The present study attempts to shed some light on the issue. The study utilizes a two-way panel data approach to analyze a balanced panel of data composed of a group of 20 developed countries covering eight consecutive subperiods between 1960-1999.