The European Union and You: Understand the Constitution, the Reform Treaty and the Arguments

"The European Union and You" provides a guide to the EU. It shows how the EU developed, including the strategy for centralising power and unifying the states of Europe. It provides: an introduction to the treaties; an account of the EU's institutions, their roles and procedures; important EU concepts and the specialised "euroterminology" essential to the understanding of the EU. It covers key players; an account of the Constitution; and, an account of the Reform Treaty.A "Major Issues" section provides a critical examination of some fifty topics including: policy areas - EU expansion, employment, public services/privatisation, housing, foreign policy and militarisation, agriculture and fisheries etc; undue complexity of the EU, the failure to make the EU understandable and user-friendly; the problems of the Constitution, and the Reform Treaty/Treaty of Lisbon; "ever closer union" - the abiding, long-term plan for the unification of the states of Europe, the commitment to "superstatehood"; the centralisation of power; democratic deficit; political accountability; accounting for the spending of EU funds; the role of the Commission; the influence of lobbyists; secrecy in decision-making; and, inconsistency in the application of principles and policies.This title includes expert and popular proposals for running the EU, and texts of key EU documents: the policies of parties in the European Parliament; alternatives to the Constitution; views of EU citizens, MPs and MEPs. "European Union" texts included are: The Laeken Declaration (The Future of Europe), 2001; the Constitution, 2004; the IGC Mandate for the Reform Treaty (Treaty of Lisbon) agreed by EU leaders in 2007. "The European Union and You" examines why the EU suffers from a lack of public understanding and confidence and is suffering a protracted crisis of political and organisational uncertainty. It presents a readable account that will shed light into the workings of the European Union. The author hopes that his analysis and ideas will help to foster rational, informed and fruitful debate that may help the European Union to become a better and more acceptable servant of its 500 million citizens with maps, diagrams and statistics.

Table of Contents:
Contents. Part One - Crisis of confidence in the European Union. Europe is united - but do its citizens love the EU? European leaders at the crossroads 2001-2008 and beyond. The Text of The Future of the European Union (The Laeken Declaration. Part Two - Development of the European Union. How plans for European co-operation and unity developed. The Treaties. Part Three - Nuts and Bolts of the EU system. European Union Institutions, Euroterminology, and Important Concepts. Part Four - The Constitution's Ideas. The Constitution - a comprehensive guide to the EU. Key features of the European Constitution. Part Five - The Reform Treaty - The Constitution Repackaged. A new period of uncertainty. How EU leaders responded to objections and demands. Real reform. Citizens' criticisms crushed for the present. Part Six - Major Issues. The 12 biggest problems faced by the EU. Major Issues in more detail. Part Seven - Alternative Plans for EU Development.Did politicians understand the Constitution and the No vote? Views of EU citizens, report on debates organised by European Parliament. "The Future of Europe" MPs and MEPs debate the way forward - (report). "The Europe of Democracies" - an alternative constitution. Statement by "Trade Unions Against the EU Constitution". "Europe Deserves Better" - MEPs' alternative constitution. Part Eight - Text of "Mandate for the Reform Treaty". Part Nine - Text of the Constitution. Protocols, Declaration 12 on "Charter of Fundamental Rights". Sources of Information. Index.

About the Author :
David Roberts has worked in industry, as a teacher, and for the past eleven years as an author and publisher. He is editor of two anthologies of First World War poetry, a pamphlet on United Nations' reform and is preparing a book on international law. "The European Union and You" is the fruit of almost three years of full-time investigation.