The European Union: Politics and Policies

by John McCormick

One of the most widely used introductions to the politics and policies of the European Union, and one of the few written specifically for American students, this new edition of John McCormick's book brings the remarkable story of European integration up to date. Covering the history, governing institutions, and policies of the EU, McCormick argues that the EU is one of the world's economic and political superpowers, has brought far-reaching changes to the lives of Europeans, and has helped the twenty-seven member states to take a newly assertive role on the global stage. Unlike most other books on the EU, this text pays particular attention to the implications of the EU for the United States. Thoroughly revised and updated, with many new tables, figures, and boxes, and with several chapters completely rewritten, the fourth edition takes into account developments in the debate about the character and significance of the EU, changes to the structure of EU institutions, the implications of the 2004 and 2007 enlargements, and key policy developments.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, School

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Brad Rousse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, concise overview of the European Union's history, workings and interactions with the world, with particular emphasis on the United States. The book does become incredibly dry when describing how the institutions work, but I doubt it can be helped. If you want to know more about what will likely become a growing player on the world stage, I would recommend this one, with a caveat about being prepared for the slog of the "how the EU works" chapters. The history and interaction chapters, though, are interesting and insightful on how the EU impacts and shapes Europe today.