This textbook is a comprehensive introduction to EU politics and covers history, theory, key institutions and participants, as well as policies and policy-making. By using the the lens of comparative politics students understand the EU through comparisons with domestic politics and links with broader debates in political science. The text is supported by numerous examples, and chapters include briefings, fact files and controversy boxes which highlight important information and controversial issues in EU politics to widen and deepen student understanding.

Table of Contents

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
5. Public opinion and political participation
6. Interest groups and interest representation
7. Political parties and the European parliament
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.