The European Union: How does it work?

The European Union: How does it work? is the perfect introduction to the EU's structure and operations for those coming to the subject for the first time. An expert team of scholars and practitioners cut through the complexity to explain how the EU works in practice, and equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to master the subject. The fourth edition of this successful textbook reflects the ongoing changes in the EU in the aftermath of the Eurozone crises, and the global context in which the EU exists. It also features expanded coverage of theories of European integration and policy making, and considers the hugely topical debate about the UK's future in the EU. Students' understanding of the main actors, policies, and developments in the EU is aided by the inclusion of helpful learning features throughout the text. 'How it really works' boxes challenge students to contrast the theory with how the EU actuallly works in practice, while 'Compared to what?' features encourage them to think broadly and critically about the reality of politics in the EU. The European Union: How does it work? 4e is also supported by an Online Resouce Centre, designed to make teaching and learning more effective for both students and instructors. The Online Resource Centre includes the following features: For students: - Test your understanding and receive instant feedback with our range of multiple-choice questions - Revise key terms and test your knowledge of terminology from the book with our digital flashcard glossary For registered adopters of the textbook: - Guide class debate with suggested seminar questions and activities - Adapt PowerPoint(R) slides as a basis for lecture presentations, or use as handouts in class

Table of Contents:
Background 1: Daniel Kenealy, John Peterson, and Richard Corbett: Introduction 2: Desmond Dinan: How Did We Get Here? Major Actors 3: Richard Corbett, John Peterson, and Daniel Kenealy: The EU's Institutions 4: Brigid Laffan: Member States Policies and Policy Making 5: Alberta Sbragia and Francesco Stolfi: Key Policies 6: Fiona Hayes-Renshaw: How Policies Are Made 7: Richard Corbett: Democracy The EU and the Wider World 8: Graham Avery: EU Expansion and Wider Europe 9: John Peterson and Andrew Geddes: The EU as a Security Actor 10: John Peterson and Marlene Gottwald: The EU as a Global Actor 11: John Peterson, Daniel Kenealy, and Richard Corbett: Conclusion

About the Author :
Daniel Kenealy is Lecturer in Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh. John Peterson is Professor of International Politics at the University of Edinburgh. Richard Corbett is currently the Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber region, and formerly an advisor on institutional issues to the President of the European Council.

Review :
`Nowhere are students in introductory courses likely to find a clearer and more balanced treatment of the broad institutional design and policy trends of the most successful experiment in peaceful international cooperation in world history' Andrew Moravcsik, Princeton University `The European Union: how does it work? once again provides an excellent introduction to European integration for students and other interested readers alike. The individual contributions are written in highly accessible style, providing a vivid image of the development and functioning of the European Union. Most importantly, the new edition is arguably the most up-to-date textbook of its kind with regard to the speedy developments that have left their mark on the EU over the last two to three years' Dr Maximilian Conrad, University of Iceland `This remarkable up-to-date text has a lot going for it. It is written by a set of experts who have a deep understanding of the European Union. Moreover, they are able to translate that knowledge into a set of straightforward explanations of the European Union's complex history, even more complex structure, and its current configuration. But what I like best about this text is that it uses this understanding to take on contemporary issues that threaten the European Union's nearly 60 year experiment in the pooling of national sovereignty. The authors explain why the future of the European Union is in doubt and how ultimately the citizens of Europe will determine its fate' Professor Neil Fligstein, University of California, Berkeley