The Government and Politics of the European Union - 9th Edition

The definitive textbook on EU politics and governance, now in its 9th edition, has been thoroughly updated to take into account the ongoing developments and evolution of the EU. Major changes, recent developments, and the crises that have befallen the union in recent times are analysed within this context.

By detailing the evolution of European integration, Nugent and Ripoll Servent give the necessary historical context to their exhaustive analysis of policies, process, institutions and treaties. In this revised edition, this has grown to include new chapters that detail both diverse theoretical perspectives and inter-institutional relations. In doing so, The Government and Politics of the European Union enables students with no prior knowledge of the EU to truly master the subject.

With a new structure to increase readability, a broad range of pedagogical features - document excerpts, case studies, maps figures - and a fully developed companion website with resources for both students and lecturers, this text remains an essential for students new to EU studies.

This new edition offers:

- Updates on all main institutions, policies and processes

- Authoritative coverage of the main institutions, policies and processes of the EU

- A new chapter on theory that includes a broader and more diverse range of theoretical perspectives

- A new chapter on inter-institutional relations.

- Increased amount of visual features i.e. tables, figures, boxes, alongside new chapter summary points to aid student learning

- New companion website including a curated list of video material, multiple-choice questions, links to official sources, additional case studies and regular updates

1. Introduction

PART I The Historical Evolution

2. The Deepening of the Integration Process

3. The Widening of the Integration Process

PART II Theorising the European Union

4. Grand Theories: Why Integrate

5. Middle-Range Theories: How to Integrate

PART III The Institutions and Political Actors of the European Union

6. The Commission

7. The Council

8. The European Council

9. The European Parliament

10. The EU's Courts

11. Other Institutions

12. Interest Representation

13. The Member States

14. Inter-Institutional Relations: Winners and Losers

Part IV Policies and Policy Processes of the European Union

15. EU Policies and the Policy Process

16. Regulatory Policies

17. Redistributive and Distributive Policies

18. Core State Powers

19. External Policies

20. The Budget

21. Present Realities and Future Prospects