Widening the European Union. The politics of institutional change and reform

Book abstract:

The imminent enlargement of the EU bringing countries from Central and Eastern Europe into membership will place great strains on the institutional structure of the European Union. Reform of those institutions is seen as a condition of further enlargement. This work arises from seminars of the NEMEU (Network on Enlargement and New Membership of the European Union) which aims to contribute to the understanding of the enlargement of the EU and the extent to which enlargement would affect the Union.

Following an introduction and a contribution on the current rational choice theories of institutional change, the book is organised in three parts. Part one addresses the constitutional aspects of enlargement. Reforms of the EU's decision-making process in view of enlargement in areas such as the Council, budgetary and monetary policy are the substance of part two. The final part focuses on the dynamics of European integration and explores alternative arrangements which may facilitate further co-operation in Europe. The future of enlargement of the European Union and the theoretical challenges ahead forms the theme for a concluding chapter.

The work will interest scholars and students of European Studies, policy researchers and all those interested in European Union affairs and the impact of future enlargement.

Bernard Steunenberg is Professor of Public Administration at Leiden University, the Netherlands.