Synopses & Reviews
Systematically revised and rewritten throughout and updated to cover the impact of the Lisbon Treaty, this highly-successful and ground-breaking text remains unique in analyzing the EU as a political system using the methods of comparative political science.
Review
Endorsements of previous edition:
"The best textbook on the European Union to date. Period." -- George Tsebelis, UCLA
"Hix's admirably lucid exposition melds state-of-the-art theory and rich empirical detail into what is likely to become the leading text on how the European Union's everyday political process actually works." -- Andrew Moravcsik, Princeton University
"This volume has a rare combination of virtues: accessible for students and required reading for EU scholars." -- Gary Marks, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Synopsis
The 3rd edition of this bestselling core textbook continues to give an innovative approach to analyzing, researching and teaching the European Union. Starting from the observation that the EU now possesses many of the attributes of modern political systems, Hix and H yland argue that we should use the general theories of political science to help understand how the EU works. For each of the main processes in the EU political system - executive, legislative and judicial politics, public opinion, interest groups and democracy, and regulatory, monetary and foreign policies - the book introduces the key political science tools, reviews the relevant theories, and applies the knowledge in detailed descriptive analysis.
The third edition of this highly acclaimed and groundbreaking text has been fully revised and rewritten throughout. As well as incorporating new data and the latest research, it examines the consequences of key developments in the EU, from enlargement to the Lisbon treaty and the 2009 European Parliament election.
To enhance teaching and learning, our companion website is packed with resources for both teachers and lecturers. Used together, this creates an indispensable and accessible companion to all upper-level undergraduate and Master's courses with a focus on EU Politics. The methodology used in this book seeks to make the make the political system of the EU accessible to political science students as a whole, as well as those specifically studying the EU.
New to this Edition:
- Fully updated to cover impact of the Lisbon Treaty and latest European Parliament elections
- More emphasis on explanation and debates in presentation of empirical information
- More concise and accessible presentation of the latest research and data
About the Author
SIMON HIX is Professor of European Union Politics and Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.
BJØRN HØYLAND is Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oslo, Norway.
Table of Contents
Introduction
PART I: GOVERNMENT
Executive Politics
Legislative Politics
Judicial Politics
PART II: POLITICS
Public Opinion
Democracy, Parties and Elections
Interest Representation
PART III: POLICIES
Regulation of the Single Market
Expenditure Policies
Economic and Monetary Union
Interior Policies
Foreign Policies
Conclusion