The European Union - John McCormick

Already one of the best and most widely used introductions to the politics and policies of the European Union, this new edition of John McCormick's book brings the remarkable story of European integration up to date. Retaining the familiar three-part structure - covering the history, governing institutions and policies of the EU - it shows its readers how the EU has become one of the world's economic and political superpowers. It explains how the efforts to build a single market have had far-reaching effects that have changed the lives of Europeans in many different and often unexpected ways, and have helped the 15 individual member states to take a newly-assertive role on the global stage. Thoroughly revised and updated, with many new tables, figures and boxes, the third edition takes into account the following important changes: *the effects of the treaties of Amsterdam and Nice *the conversion to the euro in early 2002 *the conclusions of the EU's constitutional convention *the implications of eastern enlargement *developments on the common foreign and security policy.;Characterized by McCormick's clear and engaging style of writing, The European Union: Politics and Policies avoids the bureaucratic and legal jargon that colors so many other studies of this important political and economic actor. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the EU works, and how it has impacted the lives of 380 million Europeans.