The political system of the European Union (Second Edition)

Abstract:

This book seeks answers to questions concerning the operation of the European Union (EU) today. Where does executive power lie? How important are political parties and elections in shaping political choices? What are the political consequences of economic and monetary integration? … and a host of others.

The work is organised in three parts following an introduction. Part one deals with government. Chapter two explores the structure and politics of the executive. Chapter three examines political organisation and bargaining in the EU legislative process. Judicial politics and the EU constitution are the focus of chapter four. Part two addresses politics. Chapter five examines public opinion. Chapter six considers the role of parties and elections and ‘democratic deficit’. Interest groups and their role in the policy-making process are explored in chapter seven. The third part is focused on policy-making. Chapter eight looks at regulatory policies. Chapter nine examines expenditure policies, while economic and monetary union is considered in chapter ten. Citizens’ rights and ‘freedoms’ are dealt with in chapter eleven. EU foreign economic and security policies are examined in chapter twelve. The final chapter draws together the arguments and issues arising from earlier chapters in a short conclusion.

Further information:

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