The European Union: How does it work?

Book abstract:

A new title from the expanding New European Union Series from Oxford University Press. 'The European Union: How does it work?' is a concise paperback only text projected as an introductory text for students of the European Union (and maybe also the general public). The book has the key objective of de-mystifying an entity and process which has become extremely complex (and also remarkable and controversial).

The editors are a Senior Lecturer in Politics and a European Commission official. This bringing together of the complementary perspectives of the academic and practitioner is a key principle behind the writing of the book. In the preface the editors say 'We want to explain how the EU really works, how to understand it, and why it is worth the effort'.

The book is divided into four major sections: Background, Major actors, Policies and policy making, and Current issues and trends. Within these sections are chapters presenting the history of European integration after 1945, the EU Institutions and their role, the Member States, lobbying and interest groups, key policies, the policy-making process, governance and legitimacy, enlargement, and the EU as a global actor. Theories of European integration are very lightly touched upon in the introductory chapter on 'Studying the EU'.

In the manner of many modern textbooks for students the writers use a combination of main narrative text within each chapter broken down into clear sections, extensive use of boxes, tables, figures, further reading, web links, and discussion questions. In addition, the book also provides a glossary of terms and a chronology of European integration since 1945.

To compile a concise introductory guide to the European Union, that draws out current issues and thinking, that is not over simplistic in its description and analysis, and is written in an attractively accessible style, is a considerable challenge -one which the editors and their contributors have successfully met.