One of the most widely used introductions to the politics and policies of the European Union, and one of the few written specifically for American students, this new edition of John McCormick’s book brings the remarkable story of European integration up to date. Covering the history, governing institutions, and policies of the EU, McCormick argues that the EU is one of the world’s economic and political superpowers, has brought far-reaching changes to the lives of Europeans, and has helped the twenty-seven member states to take a newly assertive role on the global stage. Unlike most other books on the EU, this text pays particular attention to the implications of the EU for the United States. Thoroughly revised and updated, with many new tables, figures, and boxes, and with several chapters completely rewritten, the fourth edition takes into account developments in the debate about the character and significance of the EU, changes to the structure of EU institutions, the implications of the 2004 and 2007 enlargements, and key policy developments.
John McCormick is Jean Monnet Chair of European Union Politics at Indiana University, Indianapolis. He studied at Rhodes University in South Africa and University College London, and has a Ph.D from Indiana University. He spent eight years working in the public sector for two London-based environmental interest groups - the World Wildlife Fund, and the International Institute for Environment and Development - and was also a consultant for a number of international organizations, including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the UN Environment Programme.
The author of twelve books and multiple book chapters and academic papers, his most recent publications include Environmental Policy in the European Union (Palgrave Macmillan, 2001), Contemporary Britain (Palgrave Macmillan, 2nd edition, 2007), The European Union: Politics and Policies (Westview, 4th edition, 2008), Understanding the European Union (Palgrave Macmillan, 4th edition, 2008), Comparative Politics in Transition (Wadsworth, 6th edition, 2009), Europeanism (Oxford University Press, 2010), and European Union Politics (Palgrave Macmillan, forthcoming 2011).
