The European Union. Readings on the theory and practice of European integration, 3rd ed.

Book abstract:

This comprehensively revised and updated edition is comprised of readings that set out the theoretical issues underlying European integration. The book is organised into three sections. Part One is a selection of the speeches and writings of politicians and policy-makers setting out their visions of a United Europe together with extracts from key European Treaties. Part Two sets out the 'classical' theoretical perspectives on integration: federalism, functionalism, intergovernmentalism, transactionism, and economic theory. Part Three explores current thinking in integration theory arising from the challenges posed to the above 'grand theories' by rational-choice intergovernmentalism and post-modern constructivist accounts of policy-formation. All of the readings in Parts Two and Three are oriented towards conceptualising the issues of integration on a theoretical basis; this is not a work which extrapolates theoretical conclusions from concrete case-studies.

The book will be of interest to students and scholars engaged in European studies, international relations, political science and economics.

Brent F. Nelson is Associate Professor of Political Science at Furman University.

Alexander Stubb is Adviser to the President of the European Commission and Visiting Professor at the College of Europe, Brussels.