Flexibility is emerging as a key dynamic of European integration. This shift towards flexibility has major implications. The EU will have to cope with more complexity and less transparency. It also affects the way in which European integration is viewed since it makes a state-like outcome to the process far less likely. Alex Warleigh looks at why flexibility has become such an important feature of the EU. He examines its history, and puts forward a typology to explain the models by which it is understood. He goes on to explore the hazards of flexibility and to look at what it has to offer, arguing that it is best seen as a desirable part of the integration process rather than as a problem. Flexibility, he argues is an important mechanism for the realization of the EU's slogan unity in diversity.

Contents:
Part 1: How Does Europe Work? 1. Introduction: A history and overview of the European Union system Alex Warleigh Part 2: The Policy-Making Institutions 2. The European Council And The Council Of Ministers Philippa Sherrington 3. The Commission Michelle Cini 4. The European Parliament Charlotte Burns 5. The European Central Bank David Howarth Part 3: The Oversight Institutions 6. The European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance Jo Hunt 7. The Court of Auditors Brigid Laffan 8. The Ombudsman Philip Giddings and Roy Gregory Part 4: The Advisory Bodies 9. The Economic And Social Committee Philippa Sherrington & Alex Warleigh 10. The Committee Of The Regions Alex Warleigh Part 5: Conclusion 11. Making Europe Work Understanding European Institutions Alex Warleigh

The debates on regionalism have been polarized between European Union (EU) scholars and non-EU scholars, with the assumption being that regionalism within the EU and other regions of the world are quite distinct, with little to be learnt from dialogue with each other. This book challenges such assumptions and calls for a genuine debate between scholars of regionalism. This book demonstrates that more can and needs to be learned about regional integration all over the world through comparison and reflection on specific regional trends. Beginning with a theoretically driven introduction, leading experts in the field are brought together to offer a series of case studies on regional integration within Latin America, Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. In Part III the authors investigate the links between the EU and selected other regional organisations and processes, exploring the dynamics through which these interregional relations are developing and the implications they have for the study of contemporary regionalism/regionalisation both inside and beyond the continent of Europe. The conclusions set out a challenging research agenda for comparative studies in the field. Addressing one of the under-explored aspects of EU studies, the EU's coexistence with other pan-continental/regional organisations in the European continent, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of regionalism, IPE, European Studies and international politics.

Fully updated to include the new Treaty of Lisbon, this is the best short and accessible introduction to the politics of the European Union, written by one of the world's most well-known authorities in the area. Ideal starting reading for students and the general reader, it explains in clear jargon-free language: the EU's development to date how the EU works, and why it works this way the EU's major policies the EU's biggest problems and controversies the EU's likely evolution in the coming years. The new edition builds on the strengths of the previous edition and now includes extra material on: the Treaty of Lisbon the EU's development since 2003, including its enlargements in 2004 and 2007 recent EU policies and rule changes the EU's role in the world. Key features to help learning and understanding are: boxed descriptions of key issues and events a guide to further reading at the end of each chapter a glossary of key terms, concepts and people helpful appendices about the EU's member states and good internet sources.

Contents:
Part 1: How Does The Eu Work? 1. Introduction Part 2: The Policy-Making Institutions 1. The European Council And The Council Of Ministers Philippa Sherrington 2. The Commission Michelle Cini 3. The European Parliament Charlotte Burns 4. The European Central Bank David Howarth Part 3: The Advisory Body 1. The Economic And Social Committee Philippa Sherrington & Alex Warleigh 2. The Committee Of The Regions Alex Warleigh Part 4: Conclusion 1. Making Europe Work Alex Warleigh

Fully updated to include the new Treaty of Lisbon, this is the best short and accessible introduction to the politics of the European Union, written by one of the world's most well-known authorities in the area. Ideal starting reading for students and the general reader, it explains in clear jargon-free language:

the EU's development to date

how the EU works, and why it works this way

the EU's major policies

the EU's biggest problems and controversies

the EU's likely evolution in the coming years.

The new edition builds on the strengths of the previous edition and now includes extra material on:

the Treaty of Lisbon

the EU's development since 2003, including its enlargements in 2004 and 2007

recent EU policies and rule changes

the EU's role in the world.

Key features to help learning and understanding are:

boxed descriptions of key issues and events

a guide to further reading at the end of each chapter

a glossary of key terms, concepts and people

helpful appendices about the EU's member states and good internet sources.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. The Evolution of European Integration 3. Institutions and Decision-making in the European Union 4. Key Policies of the European Union 5. Current Controversies in European Integration 6. Which Future for the European Union? Glossary Appendix I: Internet Sources of Information Appendix II: List of Member States, with Voting Weights and Number of MEPs

European citizenship has been a key issue since the Treaty of Maastricht. Both governmental and non-governmental actors have seen the extension of the citizenship provisions as an important part of the drive to democratize the EU. Recent years have seen some important institutional and political developments. The Treaty of Amsterdam clarified the formal allocation of citizenship rights, emphasising the complementary nature of EU citizenship with respect to member state nationality. It also made significant changes to European citizenship as an institutionalized practice, and incorporated the Schengen agreements on freedom of movement. European citizenship has attracted the attention of both EU and citizenship scholars. However, these groups frequently talk past each other. This book is the first to address both groups. Contributions by experts across several disciplines link citizenship not only to the Treaty provisions but also to the emerging patterns of governance in, and the policy regimes of, the EU. Normative and empirical analysis is combined to reveal the political, legal, economic and social dimensions of this new status, charting its development through the practices of both the EU institutions and its holders, EU citizens themselves. The authors argue that EU citizenship is about far more than the rights member state nationals are granted by the Treaty. It is also steeped in the policies and institutions of the Union itself and in particular their ability to engage the general public.

Flexibility is emerging as a key dynamic of European integration. In the past derogations from certain policies have been granted to member states with special difficulties, but were always supposed to be temporary. Since the Treaty of Maastricht however a principle of permanent opt-outs from major policies has been established. Such opt-outs can be secured through deliberate choice, rather than incapacity. They are becoming more common. This shift towards flexibility has major implications. The EU will have to cope with more complexity and probably less transparency. It also affects the way in which European integration is viewed since it makes a state-like outcome to the process far less likely. In this book Alex Warleigh looks at why flexibility has become such an important feature of the EU. He examines its history, and puts forward a typology to explain the models by which it is understood. He goes on to explore the hazards of flexibility and to look at what it has to offer, arguing that it is best seen as a desirable part of the integration process rather than as a problem. Flexibility, he argues is an important mechanism for the realization of the EU's slogan "unity in diversity".

Clearly discusses the impact and uses of interest representation in the development of the EU system.
* Examines the complexities of representation at EU level, a vital issue for potential lobbyists and interest groups
* Charts new trends and issues such as enlargement, Europeanization and Central and Eastern Europe
* Contributions by acknowledged experts with a proven track record of research and publication in this field, including seven current and past practitioners of EU politics with experience as lobbyists from either institutional, NGO or corporate perspectives
* Places interest representation in its historical and theoretical context.


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