Key Controversies in European Integration (European Union) by Hubert Zimmermann

by Hubert Zimmermann

Is the EU a success or a failure?Should It Stay or Should It Go? Britain and the EUThe Big Waste or Essential to Feed Europe? The Common Agricultural PolicyObservers of the European Union could be forgiven in thinking that since its inception the EU project has been under threat from near constant crises. In recent years, controversial issues such as EU enlargement, the fallout from the Eurozone crisis, migration policies, Brexit and the Corona pandemic have tested the EU to its limits and divided public opinion in the process.The major third edition of this comprehensive textbook on the EU seeks to introduce the integration project by looking at the thorny debates politicians, European citizens and the media contend with on a daily basis. Well known for its unique and pedagogically-innovative key debates format, the editors have invited top names in the field to contribute a stirring contribution either 'for' or 'against' each of the toughest political questions the EU faces. In doing so, not only does it offer a broad introduction to all the key concerns of the Union, but it does so in a way that is contemporary, engaging and designed to spark controversy.New to this - All chapters fully revised and updatedNew chapter on the transatlantic partnership- All chapters now with key takeaway points- Across all controversies, more inclusion of mainstream gender and feminist approaches

Paperback Bunko

First published September 4, 2012

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

War ok I guess

[Jay Pascacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays by different authors. Each chapter presents and examines a theoretical or institutional debate regarding the European Union, particularly the question of European integration or disintegration (political, economic, and social). It does so by presenting two conflicting viewpoints from different authors.

Although the book assumes that readers have some basic knowledge of the institutions of the European Union and their various roles and functions, I think it still serves as a great introduction.

[Gift · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so really exited to find a review on this book. What more, it was a positive review! However, I cannot do otherwise than disagree with it.
On one hand, this book really is unique in its format. I liked the idea of speaking about European integration limits openly. What more, I liked the idea of speaking about advantages AND disadvantages in one compact academic book. On the other hand, exactly this promised compactness has been for this book fatal. I mean… try to analyse 14 different policy problems on 230 pages! That is impossible and I believe that Zimmermann and Dür had to know this. One could argue that essays don´t have to be so “deep”. Maybe I am too old-school, but in my opinion the combination of “2 IR Professors + the EU Series + Palgrave Macmillan + average scientific demands” deserve more than just 8 pages/essay.

[Nick Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. It covers the most pressing debates in the EU. The book is unique in is format, it presents two different essays representing two sides of a single issue every chapter. Examples are the level of democracy and the future of the Euro. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the current issues of the E.U