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

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McCormick, John, 1954- author.

Series:

European Union series (Palgrave Macmillan (Firm))

The European Union series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

European Union.

Physical Description:

xix, 253 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm.

Edition:

Sixth edition.

Place of Publication:

Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.

Summary:

Written for those who need a clear and short introduction, Understanding the European Union - now in a fully revised sixth edition-is the ideal guide to how the EU works and to what it means for Europeans and for Europe's place in the world. In spite of being a major actor on the world stage and the wealthiest marketplace in the world, the EU is often misunderstood and a source of puzzlement to many. This bestselling text answers key questions about the EU: How does the EU work, and what impact has it had on the lives of Europeans? What difference has it made to the meaning of 'Europe'? How has it changed the role of Europe in the world? It explains the history and institutions of the EU; the underlying principles of European integration; the impact of the EU on its member states and citizens; and the dynamics and effects of EU policies. The new edition brings the European story up to date, with assessments of the fallout from the eurozone crisis and the rise of euroscepticism, while continuing to provide a concise yet broad-ranging survey of the history, politics, and policies of this critical international actor. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 What is the European Union? 1

The EU in the international system 2

The dynamics of regional integration 6

Explaining the EU today 13

Federalism 15

Confederalism 19

Conclusions 22

2 The Idea of Europe 24

Europe's changing identity 25

Where is Europe? 31

What is a European? 38

Conclusions 45

3 The Evolution of the EU 47

Postwar Europe 48

First steps towards integration (1948-55) 50

The European Economic Community (1955-86) 54

Focus on the single market (1986-92) 57

From Community to Union (1992-2003) 60

To Lisbon and the eurozone crisis (2003-) 63

Conclusions 70

4 The European Institutions 72

A constitution for Europe 73

The European Council 76

The European Commission 79

The Council of the EU 84

The European Parliament 87

The European Court of Justice 91

Conclusions 94

5 The EU and its Citizens 96

Public opinion and Europe 97

Euroscepticism 101

The democratic deficit 103

The people's Europe 106

Participation and representation 109

European elections 109

Referenda 113

Interest groups 114

Other channels 118

Conclusions 118

6 The EU Policy Process 120

The changing balance of authority 121

The policy environment 124

The policy cycle 128

Problem identification and agenda-setting 128

Formulation and adoption 130

Implementation 131

Evaluation 133

Features of the policy process 134

Compromise and bargaining 134

Political games 135

Multi-speed (or differentiated) integration 135

Incrementalism 136

Spillover 138

The EU budget 138

Conclusions 142

7 Economic Policy 145

The single market 146

European business and the single market 152

Inside the eurozone 159

Conclusions 167

8 Internal Policies 169

Regional policy 170

Employment and social policy 174

Agriculture and fisheries 179

Justice and home affairs 183

Environmental policy 186

Conclusions 191

9 External Policies 194

Foreign policy 195

Security policy 198

Trade policy 204

Relations with the United States 208

Relations with the neighbourhood 210

Development cooperation 214

Conclusions 216.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 234-247) and index.

Previous edition: 2011.

ISBN:

9781137362339

1137362332

1137362324

9781137362322

OCLC:

869785950