The European Union Explained, Second Edition
Institutions, Actors, Global Impact

Andreas Staab (Author)

9780253223036

Paperback / softback, published 24 June 2011

232 pages
23.5 x 15.6 x 1.5 cm, 0.386 kg

"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
"Very informative, comprehensive and well constructed."—Ljerka Mintas Hodak, former Minister of Education, Government of the Republic of Croatia
"Very informative, comprehensive, and well constructed."—Ljerka Mintas Hodak, former Minister of Education, Government of the Republic of Croatia
"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
"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. October 2011"—Midwest Book Review
"This book covers all the essential topics related to the EU . . . . Recommended. General readers, all undergraduate students.July 2009"—Choice
"The value of [this] third edition is its recounting and integration of recent events, placing news in a context that is often absent on the Internet. An excellent resource for college students at all levels and a must for European studies scholars and researchers. . . . Highly recommended."—Choice
"Covers all the essential topics related to the EU."—Choice
"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

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.

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