Understanding the European Union : a concise introduction / John McCormick.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McCormick, John, 1954-

Series:

European Union series (Palgrave Macmillan (Firm))

The European Union series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

European Union--Textbooks.

European Union.

Genre:

Textbooks.

Physical Description:

xx, 260 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Basingstoke, Hampshire ; New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.

Summary:

With 25 member states, the European Union is a major actor on the world stage. It has changed the way Europeans live, as well as the way the rest of the world relates to Europe. Yet it is widely misunderstood, and many Europeans still feel ambivalent - and confused - about its role in their lives.

Written for anyone who needs a short and clear introduction to the EU, John McCormick's best-selling text provides a uniquely broad-ranging survey of how the EU works. Its coverage spans the history and institutions of the EU; the underlying principles of European integration; the impact of the EU on its citizens and member states; and the evolution and significance of EU policies.

Fully revised, updated and expanded to provide more substantial coverage of policies and the policy process, the new third edition includes assessments of the EU constitution, the impact of the euro and of eastern enlargement, and the political fallout over the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Contents:

1 What is the European Union? 1

The international system 2

Confederalism 6

Federalism 9

The logic of integration 12

Functionalism 13

Neofunctionalism 16

Regional integration around the world 18

The Americas 18

Asia 21

The Middle East 23

Africa 24

2 The Idea of Europe 27

The changing identity of Europe 28

Where is Europe? 36

Europe today 39

Political structures 39

Administrative structures 45

Economic structures 47

3 The Evolution of the EU 52

Domestic and international background 53

First steps towards integration (1945-58) 58

The European Economic Community (1958-86) 62

Economic and social integration (1979-92) 67

From Community to Union (1992-) 71

4 The Institutions of the EU 79

A constitution for Europe 80

The European Commission 82

The Council of Ministers 89

The European Parliament 94

The European Court of Justice 99

The European Council 103

5 The EU and the Member States 108

The changing identities of the member states 109

Understanding the policy process 115

The politics of the budget 121

The changing character of the EU 125

6 The EU and its Citizens 131

The democratic deficit 132

The people's Europe 139

Participation and representation 145

European elections 146

Referenda 148

Interest groups 150

Improving accountability 153

7 Economic Policy 157

The single market 158

Physical barriers 159

Fiscal barriers 162

Technical barriers 163

Effects of the single market 165

Rights of residence 165

Joint ventures and corporate mergers 165

A European transport system 170

Open skies over Europe 171

Inside the euro zone 173

8 Improving the Quality of Life 181

Building an even playing field 182

Agricultural policy 187

Regional policy 194

Social policy 197

Environmental policy 201

9 The EU and the World 208

Building a European foreign policy 209

Towards a European defence policy 214

Europe as an economic power 220

Relations with the United States 223

Relations with eastern Europe 225

Development cooperation 228

Appendix A Chronology of European Integration, 1944-2004 237.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 243-250) and index.

ISBN:

1403944504

1403944512

0333716957

0333693523

OCLC:

57557531

Publisher Number:

9781403944504

9781403944511