This new text introduces the history, evolution and contemporary state of one of the European Union's most important, expensive and controversial policies. It examines the role that cohesion policy plays in European integration, as well as in economic development across regions, and analyzes the key debates and issues at stake.

This book ""presents the first major comparative study of EU Cohesion policy after the May 2004 enlargement and the 2006 Cohesion policy reform. Using a balanced selection of case studies from both old and new member states, it examines the implementation of EU Cohesion policy in an enlarged and increasingly differentiated Europe.

This book examines the relationship between the Czech Republic and the European Union (EU). The authors examine the Czech Republic's road to EU membership in 2004 and assess how EU accession has affected or changed the Czech Republic, including its domestic politics, governing institutions and public policies. It also examines how the Czech Republic has behaved as an EU member state, addressing the questions: What are the Czech Republic's interests in the EU and how has it sought to influence EU policymaking? How have Czech interests and behaviour been shaped by the country's position as: a new member state; a small member state; a relatively poor member state; and a post-communist member state? The book also addresses the Czech Republic's preparations for assuming the EU presidency in January 2009, and evaluates the actual conduct of the presidency. Although a case study of a single member state, this book sheds light on a number of broader points or issues pertaining to the EU and its member states. It contributes to academic debate and knowledge about the EU and European integration, including the debates on Europeanization and the role of small states in the EU. This book will of interest to students and scholars of the European Union, European politics and Post-Communist politics.

Imagining Europe: Essays on the Past, Present and Future of the European Union examines the EU from a variety of perspectives. The collection begins with the expectation that, despite its challenges, the European Union is here to say, but it also proceeds from the premise that imaginative thinking is necessary to guide the 27 member organization into the future. The book offers nine chapters and a substantive introduction to examine the EU from the point-of-view of a commercial enterprise, the writings of Jose Ortega y Gasset, immigration and public opinion, its relationship with China, its management of political populism, the American Federalist papers-and more. The first chapter is a summary of the history, structure and processes of the European Union for the convenience of those using this text in the classroom. The last chapter considers this latest chapter of European development, in light of the historical quest for a united Europe. The contributors to the volume are scholars residing in the U.S., Poland, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Turkey.

This book examines the impact of EU membership on the foreign policies of the 12 new member states that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007.

Among scholars of European politics there is a general consensus that membership in the European Union changes the countries that join. Yet considerable debate remains over what exactly changes, to what extent, how or why these changes happen, and why some countries, policies, and institutions change more than others. Expert contributors examine the impact of EU integration and membership, with chapters on the 12 new EU entrants since 2004: Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Malta, Bulgaria, and Romania. Utilizing a common analytical framework, each of the country case studies examines the impact of EU membership on the foreign policies of the new member states in three key areas: foreign policy making institutions and procedures, interests and preferences, and strategies and actions. "

The New Member States and the European Union" will be of interest to students and scholars of European Studies and European Union Politics.

This book examines the relationship between the Czech Republic and the European Union (EU). The authors examine the Czech Republic's road to EU membership in 2004 and assess how EU accession has affected or changed the Czech Republic, including its domestic politics, governing institutions and public policies. It also examines how the Czech Republic has behaved as an EU member state, addressing the questions:

• What are the Czech Republic's interests in the EU and how has it sought to influence EU policymaking?
• How have Czech interests and behaviour been shaped by the country's position as: a new member state; a small member state; a relatively poor member state; and a post-communist member state?

The book also addresses the Czech Republic's preparations for assuming the EU presidency in January 2009, and evaluates the actual conduct of the presidency. Although a case study of a single member state, this book sheds light on a number of broader points or issues pertaining to the EU and its member states. It contributes to academic debate and knowledge about the EU and European integration, including the debates on Europeanization and the role of small states in the EU.

This book will of interest to students and scholars of the European Union, European politics and Post-Communist politics.

This book examines the impact of EU membership on the foreign policies of the 12 new member states that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007. Among scholars of European politics there is a general consensus that membership in the European Union changes the countries that join. Yet considerable debate remains over what exactly changes, to what extent, how or why these changes happen, and why some countries, policies, and institutions change more than others. Expert contributors examine the impact of EU integration and membership, with chapters on the 12 new EU entrants since 2004: Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Malta, Bulgaria, and Romania. Utilizing a common analytical framework, each of the country case studies examines the impact of EU membership on the foreign policies of the new member states in three key areas: foreign policy making institutions and procedures, interests and preferences, and strategies and actions. The New Member States and the European Union will be of interest to students and scholars of European Studies and European Union Politics.