The European Union Explained, Third Edition: Institutions, Actors, Global Impact

This brief and accessible introduction to the European Union is ideal for scholars and professionals in government, business, the media, or the nonprofit sector who need a concise overview of the structure, history, and policies of the EU. This new edition also provides useful background reading for advanced high school and college courses and for those planning overseas study, work, or research. Andreas Staab offers basic terms and interpretive frameworks for understanding the evolution of the EU; the overall structure, purpose, and mandate of its main constituent divisions; and key policy areas, such as market unification. The entire text has been thoroughly updated to incorporate information about key actors, terms, and new developments, and a new chapter on environmental policy has been added.

"Very informative, comprehensive, and well constructed." --Ljerka Mintas Hodak, former Minister of Education, Government of the Republic of Croatia Indiana University Press

"The European Union Explained offers a fine introduction to the European Union and will appeal to a range of collections, from political science and business holdings to college-level collections strong in the media." --Midwest Book Review, October 2011 Indiana University Press Indiana University Press

"Covers all the essential topics related to the EU." --Choice, reviewing a previous edition or volume

"An informative, well-paced, and clearly articulated narrative of the European Union's development." --Jennifer Yoder, Colby College

"Readers in America and Europe alike will benefit from the very considerable expertise revealed in these pages." --Hugh Dykes, House of Lords Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on the European Union

"A wonderful exposition of the European Union." --Ambassador Donato Chiarini, European Commission

Andreas Staab is the founder and director of EPIC--the European Policy Information Centre, a UK-based consultancy on the European Union. He teaches in the London programs of three North American universities and is author of National Identity in Eastern Germany.

Preface

Acknowledgments

List of Acronyms

List of Tables

Part 1. The Evolution of the European Union

1. Parameters of European Integration

2. Enlargement

Part 2. Institutions

3. The European Commission

4. The European Council

5. The Council of Ministers

6. The European Parliament

7. The European Court of Justice

8. Checks and Balances

Part 3. Policies

9. The Single Market and Competition

10. Regional Policy and Cohesion

11. The Common Agricultural Policy

12. Economic and Monetary Union

13. Justice and Home Affairs

14. Common Foreign and Security Policy

15. Trade and the Common Commercial Policy

16. Environment

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index