The Single European Act. The triumph of duality. Delors versus Thachter

Abstract

In this article, the author analyses the Single European Act, the Communities’ first major step towards greater political, economic and social integration. Indeed, what was initially conceived solely as a common market for the free exchange of goods, services and capital was gradually transformed into a more cohesive Europe in which what would later become known as the European social dimension was already initiated.
In the debate on the Single European Act, two opp. sing positions clearly emerged that still persist today. On the one side, with Margaret Thachter at the forefront, advocated an exclusively free trade area, while the other side, with Jacques Delors at the vanguard, promoted a Union with commercial necessity and social ethics.
It is not trivial to recall and review the Single European Act, 35 years after its adoption. In fact, the two conceptions of Europe are still valid. It should therefore not be forgotten that it all began with the Single European Act. Brexit, too.