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The European Union: How does it work? is the perfect concise introduction to the EU's structure and operations for those coming to the subject for the first time. In it, an expert team of scholars and practitioners cut through the complexity to explain the key actors, policies, and developments in the European Union and how these work in practice, equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to properly understand this complex system.The fifth edition of this successful textbook reflects the ongoing changes in the EU in light of the UK's departure from the union and the aftermath of the migration and Eurozone crises. It also features expanded coverage of democracy and legitimacy, highlighting this important and topical debate.Students' understanding of the subject is aided by helpful learning features throughout the text. 'How it really works' boxes demonstrate the working of the EU in practice and challenge students to contrast this with the theoretical perspectives they encounter. Meanwhile, 'Compared to what?' features examine aspects of the EU and its workings in relation to other entities, encouraging students to think laterally and critically about the reality of politics in the European Union.The text is also supported by online resources designed to make teaching and learning more effective for both students and instructors. These include:For students:- Test your understanding and receive instant feedback with a range of multiple-choice questions- Revise key terms and test your knowledge of terminology from the book with our digital flashcard glossaryFor registered adopters of the textbook:- Guide class debate with suggested seminar questions and activities- Adapt PowerPoint(R) slides as a basis for lecture presentations, or use as handouts in class
List of contents
Part One: Background; 1 Daniel Kenealy, John Peterson & Richard Corbett: Introduction; 2 Desmond Dinan: How did we get here?; Part Two: Major Actors; 3 Richard Corbett, John Peterson & Daniel Kenealy: The EU's Institutions; 4 Brigid Laffan: Member States; Part Three: Policies and Policy-Making; 5 John Peterson, Daniel Kenealy, Alberta Sbragia & Francesco Stolfi: Key Policies; 6 Daniel Kenealy & Fiona Hayes-Renshaw: How Policies are Made; 7 Richard Corbett: Democracy; Part Four: The EU and the Wider World; 8 Ulrich Sedelmeier & Graham Avery: EU Expansion and Wider Europe; 9 John Peterson & Niklas Helwig: The EU as a Global Actor; 10 Daniel Kenealy, John Peterson & Richard Corbett: Brexit; 11 Daniel Kenealy, John Peterson & Richard Corbett: Conclusion
About the author
Daniel Kenealy is Lecturer in Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh.
John Peterson is Professor of International Politics at the University of Edinburgh.
Richard Corbett is currently the Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber region, and formerly an advisor on institutional issues to the President of the European Council.
Summary
As the most concise, accessible guide to the EU, The European Union: How does it work? is an ideal introduction for those coming to the subject for the first time. A leading team of expert scholars cut through the complexity to clearly explain how the EU works in theory and practice, helping you to gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed.
Additional text
Review from previous edition This remarkable text has a lot going for it. What I like best about it is that it uses expert authors' deep understanding to take on contemporary issues that threaten the European Union's nearly 60-year experiment in the pooling of national sovereignty.
Report
Review from previous edition Nowhere are students in int roductory courses likely to find a clearer and more balanced treatment of the broad institutional design and policy trends of the most successful experiment in peaceful international cooperation in world history. Professor Andrew Moravcsik, Princeton University
