The Politics of the European Union

by Herman Lelieveldt, Sebastiaan Princen

Overview

The European Union is a key player in determining policies and politics in Europe, and yet understanding how it works remains a challenge. The Politics of the European Union introduces students to its functioning by showing the similarities and differences between the EU and national political systems. Fully revised and updated in its third edition, this introductory textbook uses the tools of comparative politics to explore the history, theories, institutions, key actors, politics and policy-making of the EU. This comparative approach enables students to apply their knowledge of domestic politics and broader debates in political science to better understand the EU. Numerous real-world examples guide students through the textbook, and chapter briefings, fact files and controversy boxes highlight the important and controversial issues in EU politics. A companion website features free 'Navigating the EU' exercises to guide students in their analysis of EU policy-making.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009318327
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/20/2023
Series:	Cambridge Textbooks in Comparative Politics
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Herman Lelieveldt is Associate Professor in Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair at University College Roosevelt, the liberal arts and sciences college of Utrecht University in Middelburg, the Netherlands. He teaches a broad range of courses in the field of comparative politics, EU politics and EU law. His research focuses on the politics and policies of sustainability transitions in food and energy in the EU and its member states.
Sebastiaan Princen is Associate Professor in the field of governance and policy-making in the European Union. He teaches in bachelor's, master's and executive master's programmes at Utrecht University School of Governance. His research focuses on issues of international and European governance – more specifically, policy-making in the European Union. In recent years, he has published extensively on processes of agenda-setting in the EU. His current research deals with the role of policy paradigms in the EU, and the implementation of EU policies.

Table of Contents

List of figures; List of maps; List of tables; List of briefings; List of fact files; List of controversies; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations and acronyms; List of country abbreviations used in tables and figures; Part I. Setting the Scene: Origins, Analytical Perspectives and Institutions; 1. The historical development of the EU; 2. Analysing the EU; 3. The institutional framework; 4. Legislation and decision-making: putting the institutional puzzle together; Part II. Key Actors in EU Politics: Citizens, Interest Groups and Political Parties; 5. Public opinion and political participation; 6. Interest groups and interest representation; 7. Political parties and the European Parliament; Part III. EU Policies: Agenda-Setting, Decision-Making and Implementation; 8. An overview of EU policy-making; 9. Agenda-setting; 10. Decision-making; 11. Implementing policies; Conclusions and Reflections; 12. Reflecting on the EU as a political system; Key terms and concepts; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the First Edition: ‘In a world of either overly empirical or overly complex EU textbooks, Lelieveldt and Princen strike an excellent balance in writing a theoretically informed, empirically accurate and highly accessible introduction to the politics of the EU.’ Mark Rhinard, Stockholm University in Public Administration

‘Finally, an EU textbook that seamlessly weaves together comparative politics and EU politics … a richly textured, highly informative, yet accessible book for graduates and undergraduates.’ Liesbet Hooghe, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and European University Institute, Florence

From the Publisher