ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John McCormick is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI) in the United States. He has held visiting positions at universities in Britain, Germany and Spain, has twice held a Jean Monnet Professorship from the European Union, and has been Fulbright-Schuman Chair in EU–US Relations at the College of Europe in Belgium. His teaching and research interests lie in comparative politics and global studies, with a particular focus on the politics of the EU and environmental policy. His other publications include Why Europe Matters: The Case for the European Union, Understanding the European Union, Comparative Government and Politics, and International Organizations, all published by Bloomsbury.
ENDORSEMENTS
The book is a captivating read, presenting the author's personal view on the EU, its history, interinstitutional relationships, and policymaking. Written in an accessible, narrative style, it is suitable for students with varying levels of knowledge about the EU. - Beata Kviatek, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
This book is an excellent first read to the European Union, combining clarity with depth. It offers a comprehensive overview of the European Union’s institutions and policies while also engaging the reader in detailed analysis of key debates and developments. - Irène Hill, Oxford Brookes University, UK
An engaging and authoritative account of the development of the European Union, bringing the reader up to date on the current challenges facing the Union at a transformative time in geopolitical and geoeconomic affairs. Highly recommended addition to any reading list in the subject area. - Gerard Arthurs, South East Technological University, Ireland
A timely, well-written volume on the European Union that expertly distills complex issues into accessible insights without sacrificing analytical rigor—a truly excellent contribution. - Mark Rhinard, Stockholm University, Sweden
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
PART 1 HISTORY AND IDEAS
1. What is the European Union?
2. The EU as a Political System
3. Who are the Europeans?
4. Early Years (1945‒70)
5. Building the Community (1970‒95)
6. From Community to Union (1990‒2013)
7. Crisis and Opportunity (2001‒present)
8. The Treaties
9. The Member States
PART 2 POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
10. European Commission
11. Council of the European Union
12. European Parliament
13. European Council
14. European Court of Justice
iv Brief Contents
15. Other EU Bodies
16. Parties and Interest Groups
17. Elections and Referendums
18. Public Opinion
PART 3 POLICIES
19. Public Policy and the Budget
20. Economic Policy
21. Inside the Eurozone
22. Cohesion Policy
23. Agriculture and Fisheries
24. Environmental Policy
25. Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
26. The EU as a Global Actor
27. The EU and the World
