Synopses & Reviews
The leading text in its field,
The Government and Politics of the European Union offers a clear and comprehensive explanation of the historical development and ongoing evolution of the European Union (EU). As in previous editions, this sixth edition presents an account and analysis of the origins of the Union, the key treaties, the main institutions and political actors, and the EU’s policies and policy processes. The book, in short, explains where the EU has come from, what it now does, and how it does it.
There have been many developments within the European Union since the last edition of this volume. In May 2004, the EU increased in size from fifteen to twenty-five member states, and, in so doing, became a pan-European, rather than Western European, organization. The following month, national leaders reached agreement on the contents of the long-discussed and exhaustively negotiated Constitutional Treaty only to see the fruits of their labors rejected in 2005 by voters in France and the Netherlands. These are only the most obvious manifestations of a constantly evolving integration process addressed throughout the book. Every chapter has been extensively revised since the last edition.
The Government and Politics of the European Union also includes reflections on the conceptual and theoretical tools used to analyze the integration process and the EU, as well as on the factors likely to influence the Union’s future development.
Synopsis
An updated edition of Nugent’s classic text on recent events in the European Union.
Synopsis
A clear and comprehensive explanation of the historical development and ongoing evolution of the European Union (EU), revised and updated in this sixth edition.
About the Author
Neill Nugent is Professor of Politics and Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at Manchester Metropolitan University. His numerous books include European Union Enlargement, The European Commission, and At the Heart of the Union.
Table of Contents
Summary of Contents
List of Tables, Figures, and Documents xvii
Preface xix
List of Abbreviations xx
Map xxiv
PART 1: The Historical Evolution
1. The Transformation of Western Europe 5
2. The Creation of the European Community 36
3. The Evolution of the European Community and Union 48
4. From Western to Pan-European Integration 57
PART 2: The Evolving Treaty Framework
5. From Rome to Amsterdam 79
6. The Treaty of Nice 104
7. The Constitutional Treaty 116
8. Treaties and the Integration Process 129
PART 3: The Institutions and Political Actors of the European Union
9. The Commission 149
10. The Council of Ministers 191
11. The European Council 219
12. The European Parliament 240
13. European Union Law and the Courts 281
14. Other Institutions and Actors 311
PART 4: Policies and Policy Processes of the European Union
15. Policies 351
16. Policy Processes 392
17. The Budget 430
18. Agricultural Policy and Policy Processes 455
19. External Relations 483
20. National Influences and Controls on European Union Processes 523
PART 5: Stepping Back and Looking Forward
21. Conceptualising and Theorising 545
22. Present Realities and Future Prospects 578
Chronology 587
Guide to Further Reading 599
Bibliography 605
Index 619