The European Union (EU) is in crisis. The crisis extends beyond Brexit, the fluctuating fortunes of the eurozone and the challenge of mass migration. It cuts to the core of the EU itself. Trust is eroding; power is shifting; politics are toxic; disillusionment is widespread; and solidarity has frayed. In this major new text leading academics come together to unpack all dimensions of the EU in crisis, and to analyse its implications for the EU, its member states and the ongoing study of European integration.

This well-respected text provides a lively, comprehensive, and authoritative account of the emergence and evolution of the European Union from the aftermath of the Second World War to the uncertainties of the present era. It explains the forces, events, and individuals that have shaped one of the most unusual and controversial political entities in history. This second edition, which forms part of the successful New EU series, covers key issues including the antecedents of European integration in the years before the Second World War; the challenges of reconstruction and reconciliation in the early post-war period; the ups and downs of European integration in 1960s and 1970s; the acceleration of European integration in the late 1980s and early 1990s; almost-continuous enlargement; the eurozone crisis; the constitutionalization of the EU; and Britain's troubled membership. The text is updated throughout and includes new chapters focusing on Britain and European integration, and the constitutionalization of the EU. Further reading guides encourage students to develop their interest and understanding, and this text is one of many OUP EU titles supported by an online resource centre including: Maps of enlargement Journal articles Interactive map of Europe Interactive timeline Web links

This is the fully updated 2nd edition of the leading textbook on the history and evolution of the European Union, written by a leading authority, and highly successful textbook author, in a clear, entertaining and accessible style. Dinan tells the story of European integration from its modern origins in the 1940s to the challenges of the Eurozone crisis. Organized chronologically with each chapter broadly covering a decade, a thematic introduction and concluding chapter draw out key issues and themes and assess rival interpretations. Dinan begins at the EU's modern origins post-WWII, through its gradual enlargement, to the recent challenges of the Eurozone crisis and Euroscepticism. This is a comprehensive introduction to the underlying ideals, political dynamics, economic forces, and personal efforts that shaped the original European Communities and how that led to the development of the EU today. Particular historical interpretations are analysed impartially by evaluating the main theories in turn, and offering the author's own analysis. New material on the historiography informs students how to navigate historical interpretations and conduct their own research. This textbook assumes no underlying knowledge, and aims to be accessible to students of various disciplines. The text is written clearly, with minimal jargon and abbreviations, and includes extra resources such as timelines and relevant lists. The book is an essential introductory text for students of the EU, as well as companion for all students continuing further in their studies.