La variabilità delle componenti di politica coesiva nel processo integrativo comunitario / The variability of cohesion policies in the process of European economic integration

EU cohesion policy was born and has developed and changed in response primarily to the timeframes and requirements set by subsequent enlargements. This paper aims to highlight some of the distinguishing features of this path by analysing responses both at theoretical and economic policy levels. Attention is focused on recent developments regarding employment, the Lisbon strategy and the implications the financial perspectives for 2007-2013 will have on cohesion policy. As regards the main purpose of this paper, the early stages of cohesion policy continue to be seen as pertinent since they have been the grounding of Orlando D’Alauro’s critical approach. However, this paper also aims to take into account more recent developments in the light of those founding ideas.