Understanding the European Union

This is the must-have introduction to the European Union. A primer on the EU’s history, institutions, and politics, this brief and engaging textbook reviews the challenges and opportunities faced by the EU, from the democratic deficit and the potential of future enlargement to the spread of nationalism, the threats posed by a belligerent Russia, and the international shockwaves caused by the second Trump administration. In a rapidly changing world, understanding the personality and prospects of the European Union is now more important than ever before, and this popular text – in a fully revised new edition – provides a succinct and enlightening account of the EU’s domestic and global impact.

The ideal guide for all undergraduate and postgraduate courses in political science, global affairs and European studies, it is also a valuable starting point for anyone seeking to learn about the EU.

New to this Edition:

• Chapter previews offer summaries designed to make content clearer and easier to approach.
• Boxes from earlier editions have been re-organised thematically to ask critical questions about the EU, to give examples of the EU at work, and to make comparisons.
• A Glossary has been added to the end of the book that brings together key terms.
• Maps have been carefully and thoroughly revised to provide important visual references.
• Content has been updated to include coverage of the 2024 European Parliament elections and changes in the leadership of the major EU institutions.
• A thorough update has been made of changes in the global order, including the impact of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the evolving state of EU-China relations, and the effects on transatlantic trade and security of changes in US policy.