European Union politics

Book abstract:

This work presents new students to European Studies with an easy-to-access introduction to EU politics. An impressive array of contributors provide chapters in their specific specialisms which will certainly enthuse students towards further study, aided by guides to further reading and relevant web links at the end of each chapter.

The book is organised over five parts. Part one provides the historical background to the evolution of the European Community and Union. The various conceptual approaches used by academics to explain European integration and the politics of the EU are explored in part two. Discussion moves in part three to the European institutions and focuses on the organisation and functions of the largest and most important; the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, the Court of Justice and the Community courts. There is also a chapter on the role of interest groups in the European Union. Part four addresses a number of EU policies. The selection is not comprehensive but compiled to give a taste of the variation to be found in content and the procedures governing decision making. The policies chosen include enlargement, external relations/foreign policy, agriculture, social policy, regional policy, justice and home affairs, and economic and monetary union. Issues currently of concern to European policy makers are featured in part five which includes chapters on Europeanisation, implementation, the democratic deficit, differentiation, and citizenship. The work concludes with a useful glossary of key terms and a comprehensive index.

The book should be on the essential reading list of all students of European Union studies, and will interest those engaged in the fields of political sciences, international relations and sociology.

Michelle Cini is Senior Lecturer in Politics and Jean Monnet Lecturer in European Community Studies, Department of Politics, University of Bristol.