The European Union Illuminated - Its Nature, Importance and Future

The EU is under stress. Many believe in the euro's demise because they blame it for the 2008 financial crisis and the unwelcome austerity measures. Many resent the immigrants from the new EU member states, threatening the survival of the Single European Market (SEM). Many complain of a 'Brussels diktat', seeking an escape from joint EU decisions. Several member states want to unilaterally deal with the enhanced competition from the emerging markets, especially China, undermining the EU's 'common commercial policy', run by a single EU commissioner. And many in the UK want its exit from the EU, diluting EU unity and reducing its global influence. These concerns are either misguided or require a stronger EU to deal with them - this book aims to address the nature, importance and future of the European Union.

Contents List Of Figures Page List Of Tables List Of Boxes List Of Abbreviations List Of Abbreviations Introduction 1. The EU Within Regional Integration Worldwide 1.1 Introduction 1.2 What Is IEI? 1.3 IEI And WTO Rules 4.4 IEI Worldwide 4.5 The Possible Gains From IEI 4.6 Why IEI? 1.7 Pertinent Questions 2. The Passage To The EU 2.1 Introduction 2.2 A Short History Of European Unity 2.3 An Unfinished Passage? 3. Decision-Making In The EU 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Important Actors 3.3 The Commission 3.4 The Council Of The European Union 3.5 The European Parliament 3.6 The Courts 3.7 The European Economic And Social Committee (EESC) 3.8 The Committee Of The Regions 3.9 Types Of EU Decision 3.10 Does Brussels Dicate? 4. EU Policies 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The SEM 4.3 Policies Facilitating The SEM 4.4 Policies For Structural Aspects Of The Economy And Society 4.5 Policies For External Relations 5. The EU General Budget 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Economic Theory Of The State 5.3 Fiscal Federalism 5.4 The EU And Fiscal Federalism 5.5 Budget Rules And Procedure 5.6 EU Budget Revenue 5.7 EU Budget Expenditure 5.8 Operating Budgetary Balances 5.9 The EU Budget And Enlargement 5.10 Budgetary Limitations 6. Economic And Monetary Union 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Disentangling The Concepts 6.3A The Conceptual Analysis Of Monetary Integration 6.3B The Development Of The EU's EMU 6.3C The Operation Of EMU 6.4 The Survival Of EMU 7. The Importance Of The EU 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The Importance Of The EU 7.3 The UK Dilemma 7.4 A Bleak Future Without A United Europe 8. The Future Of The EU 8.1 Introduction 8.2 The Vision Of The Founding Fathers 8.3 The Vision Of Contemporary Politicians 8.7 The Dream Lives On Appendix The Causes Of The 2008 Financial Crisis References Author Index Subject Index