The politics of the European Union

A new introduction to the European Union which uses the lens of comparative politics. This approach helps students understand the EU through comparisons with domestic politics and links with broader debates in political science.

The text is supported by numerous examples, and chapters include briefings, fact files and controversy boxes which highlight important information and controversial issues in EU politics to widen and deepen student understanding.

The authors have developed online 'Navigating the EU' exercises that introduce students to useful sources of information on the internet and help them to analyse policy-making in the EU.

This textbook is a comprehensive introduction to EU politics and covers history, theory, key institutions and participants, as well as policies and policy-making.

Contents:

Part I. Setting the Scene: Origins, Analytical Perspectives and Institutions
1. The historical development of the EU
2. Analysing the EU
3. The institutional framework
4. Legislation and decision-making: putting the institutional puzzle together

Part II. Key Actors in EU Politics: Citizens, Interest Groups and Political Parties
5. Public opinion and political participation
6. Interest groups and interest representation
7. Political parties and the European Parliament

Part III. EU Policies: Agenda-Setting, Decision-Making and Implementation
8. An overview of EU policy-making
9. Agenda-setting
10. Decision-making
11. Implementing policies

Conclusions and Reflections
12. Reflecting on the EU as a political system