... capital (direct investment). Political Theory Neo-functionalism: is not a very convincing explanation of the emergence of the Internal Market Programme because it followed a long period of stagnation rather than increasing integration. The explanations seem to lie elsewhere. Neo-functionalism does, however, have an important role to play in explaining the renewed integration momentum that followed the Internal Market Programme Pressure groups and lobbying: big business, particularly in the shape of the Round Table of European Industrialists, had become convinced that the fragmentation of EC into separate national markets was a factor behind their declining competitiveness on increasing global markets. They wanted a single market where long production could be achieved, lowering costs and spreading research and development expenditure. This was an effective lobby group because the size of businesses involved Phillips, Volkswagen, Fiat etc., meant close connections to national governments, in addition these groups had very good links with the Commission. In the ...

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