European Union politics, 2nd ed.

The new edition of this lively and student-friendly text provides an engaging introduction to all aspects of politics and policy in the European Union, giving readers a sense of the colour of EU politics and its impact on people's lives.

The text examines the history, institutions, processes and policies of the European Union as well as the theories developed to explain its character and evolution. The second edition has been thoroughly updated to cover the 2014 European Parliament elections and new appointments to all the major EU institutions, along with the ongoing fallout from the euro zone crisis. A new boxed feature on 'understanding integration' shows how theories and concepts developed in political science illuminate different aspects of European Union politics.

Each chapter of European Union Politics is enhanced by:
- Photos and descriptions of events, thinkers and political actors
- Breakdowns of key debates
- hapter summaries and guides to further reading
- On-page definitions.

Contents:

PART I: HISTORY AND IDEAS
1. Understanding Integration
2. What is the European Union?
3. Who are the Europeans?
4. Organizing Postwar Europe
5. The European Economic Community
6. From Single Market to European Union
7. To the Euro Crisis and Beyond
8. The Treaties
9. The Member States

PART II: POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
10. The European Commission
11. The Councils
12. The European Parliament
13. The European Court of Justice
14. Specialized Agencies
15. Parties and Interest Groups
16. Elections and Referendums
17. Public Opinion

PART III: POLICIES
18. Public Policy in the EU
19. Economic Policy
20. Inside the Euro Zone
21. Cohesion Policy
22. Managing Resources
23. Justice and Home Affairs
24. The EU as a Global Actor
25. The EU and the World
Conclusions: Where Now for the EU?