The Economist Guide to the European Union. 7th edition

Book abstract:

This popular book, now in its 7th edition, is intended to provide a simplified account of the origin, history, institutions and functions of the EU, which is accessible to those readers who have no previous knowledge of the EU.
The book is divided into five parts. Part one contains an account of the origins of the EC, followed by a historical account of its development up to and after the appointment of the new commission in 1999. The second part describes the institutions of the EU, namely the Commission, Council of Ministers, European Council, European Parliament, Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the Regions, Court of Justice, Court of Auditors, European Investment Bank and other EU bodies. It also has a chapter covering facts, figures and costs relating to the bureaucracy of the EU.

The third part, entitled 'The competences', outlines the key policy areas of:financing the Union, trade, the single market, competition, economy and finance, taxation, agriculture, research and new industries, regions, social policy, workers' rights, steel, energy, transport, fisheries, environment, consumers, education, women's rights, culture and the media, citizens' rights, aid and developments and foreign, defence and security policy. The sections summarise the policy on each, and include many of the latest facts and figures to illustrate the text. The fourth part looks at the particular problem areas of enlargement, the UK and the Union and the future for the Union. In part five, there is a large section of appendices which give much useful reference information of statistics, names of officials, addresses of institutions, party groups, a summary of overseas links, the text of the key Maastricht and Amsterdam treaties, abbreviations and acronyms and a chronology of major events. Finally the book gives suggestions for further reading for those who wish to explore further than the introductory chapters here. There is a comprehensive index.

The figures and facts for the book are largely sourced from European Commission publications. It should prove invaluable both as an introductory text for the EU, and as a reference volume for quick answers.