This book presents in a concise and accessible way why the EU institutional system exists in its present form, how the EU fits into the world as a system of governance, and who is involved in EU policy processes. It outlines the historical context which has shaped the EU system, gives a summary of the system's basic principles and structures, and describes its actors, procedures and instruments. The main theme is to show that EU decision-making is not just a matter of action at some higher and separate level, of 'them and us', but rather that it involves different forms of cooperation between European, national and regional authorities, as well as interaction between public and private actors. Numerous short case studies illustrate how people's day-to-day activities are affected by EU decisions, and how individuals' concerns are represented in the decision-making process. The book provides insights and examples which will be very helpful for all students of European integration. It will also be a valuable resource for European citizens wishing to understand the basic realities and rationales, as well as some of the dilemmas, behind EU policy-making.

This book presents in a concise and accessible way why the EU institutional system exists in its present form, how the EU fits into the world as a system of governance, and who is involved in EU policy processes. It outlines the historical context which has shaped the EU system, gives a summary of the system's basic principles and structures, and describes its actors, procedures and instruments. The main theme is to show that EU decision-making is not just a matter of action at some higher and separate level, of 'them and us', but rather that it involves different forms of cooperation between European, national and regional authorities, as well as interaction between public and private actors. Numerous short case studies illustrate how people's day-to-day activities are affected by EU decisions, and how individuals' concerns are represented in the decision-making process. The book provides insights and examples which will be very helpful for all students of European integration. It will also be a valuable resource for European citizens wishing to understand the basic realities and rationales, as well as some of the dilemmas, behind EU policy-making.

This book is about how European Union (EU) law is made. It is about the ways in which legally binding rules in the form of EU Regulations, Directives and Decisions are produced through interaction between the EU institutions: the independent European Commission; the Council, bringing together the Member States; and the European Parliament, directly elected by EU citizens. It has a particular approach which distinguishes it from the many other books which are published on EU law, institutions, politics and policies. The aim is to make it possible for people not only to see the big picture of EU law-making, and to understand the main principles which underlie this system, but also to find a lot of the practical details.

It therefore offers a concise overview of EU law-making which highlights the main principles and structures involved, and it places the different steps in context around a policy cycle . This cycle is illustrated not only by examples and mini-cases at all stages, but also by a more detailed case study which looks at the EU Timber Regulation around the whole cycle. In addition, the book supplies details about the procedures and practices of law-making which are often sought after by EU policy practitioners, as well as students of EU decision-making, and which so far have not been easily, if at all, to be found in published literature.

While the book should be of use and interest to all those interested in how the EU works, it is written with a certain emphasis on what it all means for public actors. Almost all public officials in Europe are affected in one way or another by decisions taken in the EU, and an increasing number of officials are directly involved in shaping or implementing these decisions. Yet, as the EU has grown in size, scope and complexity, it has become increasingly difficult for people to have a clear idea of what the EU actually does, and how it really works. It is not always obvious, even to officials who are personally involved, how individual actions in the EU setting fit into the overall policy process. This book aims to answer that question."