A new edition of Nugent's widely-used and much-praised book on the European Union, systematically revised to provide full coverage of the new pan-European character of the EU after the 2004 enlargement. It includes a new chapter on the attempt to develop a European constitution and has been updated throughout to cover other recent developments.

Reviews of previous editions:

'Neill Nugent has once again supplied us with a definitive textbook on the institutions and politics of the European Union. However it is much more than this. It is an essential reference book for both the academic and practitioner... [and] a masterful effort at explaining the inexplicable and at making the opaque transparent.' - Political Studies

'The book is well organized, well researched, and clearly written. It answers almost every factual question that the undergraduate is likely to ask about the existing organizational structure of the Community, and the judgements that the author offers from time to time are invariably sound and sensible.' - Government and Opposition

'Nugent manages throughout to convey the complexity of the EC system without confusing the reader. In short, it is an excellent book with which it is difficult to find fault.' - West European Politics

'...this is by far the best teaching text on the European Community that I have come across.' - Journal of Common Market Studies
 
'Thanks to its comprehensive structure, accurate and systematic approach to untangling the complexities of integration processes and structures, and insightful evaluvation of policy outcomes. It remains an invaluable reference for students, scholars and practitioners alike.' - Boyka Stefanova, Perspectives on Poltical Science Journal

PART 1: THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION
The Transformation of Western Europe
The Creation of the European Community
The Evolution of the European Community and Union
From Western to Pan-European Integration
PART 2: THE EVOLVING TREATY FRAMEWORK
From Rome to Amsterdam
The Treaty of Nice
The Constitutional Treaty
Treaties and the Integration Process
PART 3: THE INSTITUTIONS AND POLITICAL ACTORS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
The Commission
The Council of Ministers
The European Council
The European Parliament
European Union Law and the Courts
Other Institutions and Actors
PART 4: POLICIES AND POLICY PROCESSES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Policies
Policy Processes
The Budget
Agricultural Policy and Policy Processes
External Relations
National Influences and Controls on European Union Processes
PART 5: STEPPING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD
Conceptualising and Theorising
Conclusion: Present Realities and Future Prospects
Chronology
Guide to Further Reading
Bibliography
Index

NEILL NUGENT is Professor of Politics and Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.