The Political System of the European Union

by Simon Hix, Bjørn Høyland

Overview

Starting from the observation that the European Union now possesses many of the attributes of modern political systems, Hix and Høyland take an innovative approach to analysing, researching and teaching the EU. Using the general theories of political science to understand how the EU works, this text covers 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 - introducing the key political science tools, reviewing the relevant theories, and applying the knowledge in detailed descriptive analysis.

As well as incorporating new data and the latest research, this new edition examines the consequences of the dramatic political and policy developments in the EU over the past decade.

The methodology used in the text makes the political system of the EU accessible to political science students as a whole, as well as those specifically studying and researching the EU.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350325487
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/02/2022
Series:	The European Union Series
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	456
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Simon Hix is Stein Rokkan Chair in Comparative Politics at the European University Institute, Italy.
Bjørn Høyland is Professor of Political Science at the University of Oslo, Norway.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Explaining the EU Political System
PART I: GOVERNMENT
Executive Politics
Legislative Politics
Judicial Politics
PART II: POLITICS
Public Opinion
Democracy, Parties and Elections
Interest Representation
PART III: POLICIES
Regulation of the Single Market
Expenditure Policies
Economic and Monetary Union
Interior Policies
Foreign Policies
Conclusion: A Political System in Crisis?

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Endorsements of previous edition: 'The best textbook on the European Union to date. Period.' - George Tsebelis, UCLA.

'Hix's admirably lucid exposition melds state-of-the-art theory and rich empirical detail into what is likely to become the leading text on how the European Union's everyday political process actually works.' - Andrew Moravcsik, Princeton University.

This volume has a rare combination of virtues: accessible for students and required reading for EU scholars.' - Gary Marks, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Editorial Reviews

Hix (London School of Economics and Political Science) provides an overview of the workings of the European Union that draws on the general theories and methods of political science. For each of the main processes in the EU political system<-->executive, legislative and judicial politics, public opinion, interest groups and parties, and regulatory, redistributive, monetary, internal security and global policies<-->he introduces the key political science tools, reviews recent theoretical research, and applies this knowledge in descriptive analysis. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

The study of the European Union should be firmly grounded on the latest scholarship, address the enduring questions with which scholars grapple, and employ the most appropriate analytical tools. The Political System of the European Union delivers on all these fronts.” —Fabio Franchino, Professor of Political Science, University of Milan, Italy

“This is the first and only book of its kind that fully marries our understanding of the EU with the broader political science literature. Even in its fourth edition the book continues to be a transformative tour de force.” —Raj Chari, Professor in Political Science, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

“The Political System of the European Union is the ultimate introductory text for understanding the institutional design of the EU, how the EU works, the political opportunities and constraints under which it operates, and the major policies it has produced. Presenting key facts and rich empirical detail through the lens of state-of-the-art theories, the book places the EU in a comparative perspective, increasing its broader appeal. In a nutshell, this book is an essential read and an indispensable asset for all who study, teach, research, or are curious about the EU.” —Nikoleta Yordanova, Associate Professor of European Politics, Leiden University, the Netherlands

“For more than two decades, this has been the go-to title for those wanting to understand the EU as a system, with its integration of cutting-edge research and solid core principles. There is no better single-volume text that gets into the mechanics of European integration.” —Simon Usherwood, Professor of Politics & International Studies, The Open University, UK

“A much anticipated new edition of a classic book on the institutions, politics, and policies of the European Union. Exceptionally well-written, this fourth edition reaches the optimal balance between scientific rigor and pedagogical detail and analyses the EU in light of key theories of, and research on, comparative politics. The book is a must read for scholars and students of EU and comparative politics alike.” —Adriana Bunea, Associate Professor of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen, Norway

From the Publisher