The European Parliament's Role in Closer EU Integration [Paperback]

Richard Corbett (Author), Klaus Hansch (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0333949382 | ISBN-13: 978-0333949382 | Publication Date: January 5, 2002

The book begins with an analysis of what integration theorists expected of the directly elected Parliament when such an idea was still on the drawing board. Robert Corbett examines what the Parliament has achieved in practice, and its significance in the formation of the EU. This comprehensive examination of the Parliament's impact of the successive renegotiations of the European treaties also considers its day-to-day influence on the development of European policies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A fascinating insight into the impact of the Parliament on the process of European integration. I can think of no better person to have written this book than the author who has been involved in the Parliament's work on these issues for many years. Anyone interested in the process of European integration will find it most interesting.' - Klaus Hansch, former President of the European Parliament 'The reader owes a debt of gratitude to the author's diligence...Throughout this work Richard Corbett seeks to enlighten and illuminate the reader's path rather than obfuscate...legislators and observers could benefit from studying processes and conclusions set out in this excellent work.' - Diana E. Maxwell, European Business Review 'Richard Corbett is in a different class...[A] tome...constructed of such highly readable prose that were it a novel the promoters would say it was impossible to put down...[S]ets out the many theoretical factions with such clarity and skill that the reader is caught up in the pace of the narrative...[T]he book is a masterpiece.' - Christ White, The Parliament Magazine, The European Parliament

About the Author

Richard Corbett is Deputy Secretary General of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament.

Product Details

• Paperback: 444 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (January 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333949382
• ISBN-13: 978-0333949382
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,896,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars The First Elected Transnational Parliament, November 9, 2006

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Richard McMullen (Danville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The European Parliament's Role in Closer EU Integration (Paperback)

Having participated in the process of drafting the Treaty of Maastricht, the Treaty of Amsterdam, and the proposed European Constitution, Richard Corbett offers valuable first hand knowledge of one of the most complex and multifaceted ongoing political processes of our time, that of European integration.

European integration has progressed during a half century, with its Parliament becoming an integral part of this process during the last two decades. "The European Parliament's Role in Closer EU Integration", based on the Corbett's doctoral thesis, explores the impact that this elected body has had on the process of European integration.

As Europe continues its journey towards closer integration, its Parliament is the key to maintaining momentum along this route by strengthening its role within the European community as a whole.

Addressing this continuing evolution, "The European Parliament's Role in Closer EU Integration" is a comprehensive examination of the Parliament's influence in the successive renegotiations of European treaties and its proposed constitution. The book also considers the development of current European policies through the parliamentary process. Richard Corbett assesses the practical achievements of the European Parliament twenty years after it was first conceived, comparing these achievements to those that were originally envisioned.

The book begins by defining what is actually meant by European integration, examining the theoretical framework around which numerous treaties and institutions are based. Corbett goes on to describe the original intentions for establishing an elected Parliament to become part of the process of political and economic integration.

The European Parliament has undertaken to achieve institutional reform within the European Union. This book describes the Parliament's efforts to revise existing treaties and its influence on the creation of new treaties including the Single European Act, the Treaty of Maastricht, and the proposed European Constitution. The role of elected representatives is examined, in part to determine whether new political relationships have been created within the European body, and what influence European parliamentarians have had on the respective member states and European institutions.