The European union: a very short introduction

摘要

There is little to say about this edition of a book that is succinctly described by its title. Completed in March 2017 and 2 years after the passing of John Pinder, its original author, the book now in its 4th edition, once again presents a concise, readable entree to the EU, its workings and its political environment. The format is logically structured, with initial chapters on the emergence and raison d'etre of the Union, a chapter on its institutional machinery and then following chapters on its competences: economic, sectoral, social and external policy areas are covered. These are written in a jargon-free style. The importance of recognising the treaty-based and legal formations of the EU, a factor not greatly appreciated by non-academic publics, is clearly indicated. In its final chapters, the contemporary dilemmas of the EU, its civilian 'soft power presence', its position in the European region and its global reach are examined. A concluding, speculative chapter asks the big question - what next? A chronology, glossary and short list of further reading, together with charts, maps and graphs, give support to the book's exposition.