The Politics of the European Union

Part I. Setting the Scene: Origins, Analytical Perspectives and Institutions: 1. The historical development of the EU; 2. Analyzing 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; 12. Reflecting on the EU as a political system.

Herman Lelieveldt is Associate Professor in political science at Roosevelt Academy, one of Utrecht University's liberal arts honours colleges, located in Middelburg, the Netherlands. Dr Sebastiaan Princen is Associate Professor at Utrecht University School of Governance.

'The Politics of the European Union is refreshingly new and is destined to be adopted widely as an undergraduate textbook. The authors have an excellent 'feel' for the practical workings of the EU policy process and, drawing on their knowledge of comparative politics, ask exactly the right fundamental questions about the EU as a polity.' Professor Jeremy Richardson, Editor, Journal of European Public Policy and Fellow of Nuffield College, University of Oxford 'The textbook is ideal for instructors who wish to provide an introduction to the politics of the European Union but also exploit the explanatory power offered by comparative politics. And it is ideal for undergraduate students who are problem-oriented but wish to move beyond mere description and understand the mechanisms behind political outcomes. Without being descriptively overloaded, the book summarises concisely the principal concerns and findings of the field, and the extent to which there is consensus or controversy.' Fabio Franchino, Professor of Political Science, University of Milan 'Finally an EU textbook that seamlessly weaves together comparative politics and EU politics. Herman Lelieveldt and Sebastiaan Princen have written a richly textured, highly informative, yet accessible book for graduates and undergraduates.' Liesbet Hooghe, Zachary Taylor Smith Professor of Political Science, University of North Carolina, and Chair in Multilevel Governance, VU University of Amsterdam