The European Union: A Dynamic Complex System of Clubs Comprised by Countries Performing a Variety of Capitalism

Abstract

The EU can be regarded as a club where integration is the main club good. For decades, club convergence applied; however, currently there is insufficient level of convergence. The club theory approach becomes increasingly significant with Brexit and the remaining EU-27 heading towards a multi-speed Europe. Overall, the economy of the EU constructs a complex system implying the existence of sub-systems: clubs within the club. Dynamism is an inherent feature of the system. There are outside effects as well as factors influencing the system from inside, many of the latter rooting in the various capitalism models of the member states. In this work we analyse how the varieties of capitalism is related to convergence and complexity in the EU. In this context, the EU is an entity interpreted as a dynamic complex system of clubs comprised by countries performing a variety of capitalism.