The European Union : Politics and Policies

Thoroughly revised, the seventh edition of this accessible and highly respected text provides a rigorous yet digestible introduction to the European Union. Additionally, it authoritatively explains developments that continue to bring challenges to this powerful institution in times of great political change. Key features: Clearly covers the history, governing institutions, and policies of the EU; Fully updated with new tables, figures, and photographs; In-text features such as Chapter Overviews, Questions to Consider, and Further Reading encourage deeper research and debate; Sustained discussion of transformative and historical change in the upheaval of Brexit and its ramifications, and the future relationship of the UK with the EU; Through reflection on destabilizing issues such as immigration and the years of refugee crisis in Europe, the continued crisis in the eurozone, tensions with Poland and Hungary, Euroskepticism, Russia, and the rise of populism; Increased coverage throughout of women or minorities within the EU. Jonathan Olsen presents the EU as one of the world's economic and political superpowers, which has brought far-reaching changes to the lives of Europeans and has helped its member states to take a newly assertive role on the global stage. Essential reading for students of European and EU politics, this book offers an up-to-the-minute look at both the opportunities and existential threats facing the EU. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Photos List of Figures List of Maps List of Tables List of Boxes Preface and Acknowledgments A Note on Terminology Acronyms and Abbreviations EU Member States Introduction Part I: History 1 What Is the European Union? Chapter Overview The Role of the State How Did the EU Evolve? What Has the EU Become? Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 2 Origins: The Road to Paris and Rome Chapter Overview The Taming of Europe Economic Reconstruction and the Marshall Plan Security and the Cold War Opening Moves: Coal and Steel (1950–1953) From Paris to Rome (1955–1958) Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 3 Stagnation and Renewal: The Single European Act and Maastricht Chapter Overview Integration Takes Root (1958–1968) The Role of the US Enlargement: Looking North and South (1960–1986) Toward Economic and Monetary Union (1969–1993) Completing the Single Market: The Single European Act (1983–1993) From Community to Union (1970–1993) Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 4 Unity and Upheaval: The Eurozone, the Treaty of Lisbon, and Crises in the EU Chapter Overview The Euro Arrives (1995–2002) Changes to the Treaties: Amsterdam and Nice (1997–2001) More Enlargement: Looking East (1994–2013) A Constitution by Another Name: The Treaty of Lisbon (2001–2008) The Financial and Debt Crisis (2008–2015) The Migration Crisis (2015–2018) Another Blow to the EU: Brexit (2016–2020) Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading Part II: Institutions 5 The European Commission Chapter Overview Evolution Structure How the Commission Works Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 6 The Council of Ministers and the European Council Chapter Overview Evolution of the Council of Ministers Structure of the Council of Ministers How the Council of Ministers Works Evolution of the European Council Structure of the European Council How the European Council Works Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 7 The European Parliament Chapter Overview Evolution Structure How Parliament Works Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 8 The Court of Justice of the European Union Chapter Overview Evolution Structure Sources of EU Law How the Court Works Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 9 The European Central Bank and other EU Bodies and Agencies Chapter Overview Financial Institutions Agencies of the EU Other EU Bodies Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 10 Representing Public Opinion in the EU Chapter Overview We the People: Public Opinion in the EU Civil Society and an EU Identity Referendums Interest Groups Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading Part III: Policies 11 Public Policy and the Budget of the EU Chapter Overview The Policy Cycle Features of the Policy Process The Budget Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 12 The Single Market, Monetary Union, and Regional Development Policy Chapter Overview The Single Market and Europe 2020 Monetary Union Cohesion Policy: Building a Level Playing Field Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 13 Agricultural and Environmental Policy Chapter Overview Agricultural Policy Environmental Policy Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 14 Social Policy, Justice and Home Affairs, and other Policies Chapter Overview Social Policy Education and Languages Justice and Home Affairs Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 15 Security and Global Power Chapter Overview Toward a Common Foreign Policy Toward a Common Security Policy Trade Policy and Soft Power Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading 16 The EU and the World Chapter Overview The Transatlantic Relationship Explaining US–EU Differences Enlargement and the EU’s Neighborhood The EU’s Rocky Relationship with Russia Relations with BRIC Countries The EU’s Relationship with the Global South Questions to Consider Notes Bibliography Further Reading Conclusion Notes Bibliography Glossary Appendix 1 Chronology of the EU Appendix 2 Sources of Information Online Sources Eu Information Centers in North America Index "Thoroughly revised, the seventh edition of this accessible and highly respected text provides a rigorous yet digestible introduction to the European Union. Additionally, it authoritatively explains developments that continue to bring challenges to this powerful institution in times of great political change. Key features: Clearly covers the history, governing institutions, and policies of the EU; Fully updated with new tables, figures and photographs; In-text features such as Chapter Overviews, Questions to Consider and Further Reading encourage deeper research and debate; Sustained discussion of transformative and historical change in the upheaval of Brexit and its ramifications, and the future relationship of the UK with the EU; Thorough reflection on destabilising issues such as immigration and the years of refugee crisis in Europe, the continued crisis in the Eurozone, tensions with Poland and Hungary, Euroscepticism, Russia, and the rise of populism; Increased coverage throughout of women or minorities within the EU. Jonathan Olsen presents the EU as one of the world's economic and political superpowers, which has brought far-reaching changes to the lives of Europeans and has helped its member states to take a newly assertive role on the global stage. Essential reading for students of European and EU politics, this book offers an up-to-the-minute look at both the opportunities and existential threats facing The European Union"-- Provided by publisher