The Political System of the European Union

by Simon Hix, Bjørn Høyland

The 3rd edition of this bestselling core textbook continues to give an innovative approach to analyzing, researching and teaching the European Union. Starting from the observation that the EU now possesses many of the attributes of modern political systems, Hix and Høyland argue that we should use the general theories of political science to help understand how the EU works. For each of the main processes in the EU political system - executive, legislative and judicial politics, public opinion, interest groups and democracy, and regulatory, monetary and foreign policies -the book introduces the key political science tools, reviews the relevant theories, and applies the knowledge in detailed descriptive analysis. The third edition of this highly acclaimed and groundbreaking text has been fully revised and rewritten throughout. As well as incorporating new data and the latest research, it examines the consequences of key developments in the EU, from enlargement to the Lisbon treaty and the 2009 European Parliament election. To enhance teaching and learning, our companion website is packed with resources for both teachers and lecturers. Used together, this creates an indispensable and accessible companion to all upper-level undergraduate and Master’s courses with a focus on EU Politics. The methodology used in this book seeks to make the make the political system of the EU accessible to political science students as a whole, as well as those specifically studying the EU.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Political Science

400 pages, Paperback

First published August 14, 1999

Reviews

[Alex Cone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have met Simon Hix. This makes this textbook all the better.

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handy introduction to the EU's political institutions, practices, and policy developments, drawing connections between general political science theories and the specifics of the Union's context.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive book to study and understand the European Union, which takes theorist approaches to each policy area into account in order to help understanding the system. Includes also clear examples about the development of the European Integration and also illustrates the current inefficiencies and problems of the Union. However, a bit outdated since the latest version has been published in 2005 and the effects of the Lisbon treaty and the first effort of a constitution are only slightly speculated. An updated version with the newest information for example about the current influences of the European parliament is most likely to be a perfect handbook.

[Jekaterina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update Complete!

[Catalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive guide to the European Union. Although Dry at times, it provides you with sufficient information about the mechanisms and institutions of the forever changing chaos that is the EU.

[Matteo Dip · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice for the exam