Economic analysis of European Union single market law cases

Official URL: http://192.168.1.20/record=b1276329 (Table of Contents)

In the period of Turkey's candidacy to the European Union (EU), many heated debates continue to take place which are related to welfare effects of being in a common market. In this thesis we analyzed a selected sample of the European Union Law cases about Single Market and Four Freedoms with an economic approach. We developed simple models of free movement of goods, free trade, and free movement of workers; we discussed the welfare effects of these movements for countries and for the entire Union. We also gave examples of reference cases, and discussed the effects of such decisions in the European Court of Justice. In addition, there is a special focus on intellectual property rights, the concept of patent, and its effects on free trade since they are important topics in Law and Economics literature from which many discussions arise. In addition, an overview of EU law making process and a historical background of the Single Market and economic integration of the EU is provided in this thesis. We also discussed some views about main stream economics in which trade liberalization and factors of production mobility is always assumed as improving welfare. We concluded stating that even free trade and free movement of workers are beneficial in theory; both are important topics for which well-established policy applications are required.