The economic integration of Europe and the problem of international specialized communities

This article focuses on the features and the working of the European Coal and Steel Community, seen as a first step in the ongoing process of European Integration. In Vito’s view the integration process would bear many economic advantages not only for the high concentrated sectors of Steel and Coal, but also in agriculture and transportation. While not ignoring the complex adjustment problem arising from the closure of less efficient firms and the unemployment costs arising from it, Vito underlines economic and social advantages of the 1952 Paris Agreement for the economy as a whole: cost reduction; better terms of trade; technical improvements; development of capital equipment; new outlays for export production and international migration. Moreover the establishment of a common market in Europe would strengthen the sense of solidarity and trust in a common heritage of culture and values, laying down the foundations of a durable peace in Europe.