The Institutions of the European Union

by Edited by John Peterson

The 'new' European Union has been constantly evolving since the mid 1980s, and it shows no sign of standing still. Virtually the only constant is the EU's institutions, which are both unique and time-honoured after 50 years of European integration. The institutions of the EU, individually and collectively, perform multiple tasks: providing the EU with political direction, managing policies and integrating interests. This new edition of The Institutions of the European Union will be the key text for any reader wishing to understand the functions, powers and compositions of EU institutions. The book has been fully updated and includes a new chapter on institutional and constitutional reform.

"Lucid, comprehensive, and substantive ... combines invaluable description with perceptive and sophisticated analysis"--Alberta Sbragia, University of Pittsburgh
"Distinguished by the clarity and comprehensiveness of [its] institutional coverage"--William E. Paterson, University of Birmingham


"Lucid, comprehensive, and substantive ... combines invaluable description with perceptive and sophisticated analysis"--Alberta Sbragia, University of Pittsburgh
"Distinguished by the clarity and comprehensiveness of [its] institutional coverage"--William E. Paterson, University of Birmingham

"Lucid, comprehensive, and substantive ... combines invaluable description with perceptive and sophisticated analysis"--Alberta Sbragia, University of Pittsburgh
"Distinguished by the clarity and comprehensiveness of [its] institutional coverage"--William E. Paterson, University of Birmingham


"Lucid, comprehensive, and substantive ... combines invaluable description with perceptive and sophisticated analysis"--Alberta Sbragia, University of Pittsburgh

"Distinguished by the clarity and comprehensiveness of [its] institutional coverage"--William E. Paterson, University of Birmingham

John Peterson is Chair of International Politics at the University of Edinburgh. He is editor of the Journal of Common Market Studies and "The New European Union Series" (with Helen Wallace) for Oxford University Press.
Michael Shackleton is Head of Division of the Conciliations Secretariat in the Secretariat of the European Parliament Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium. He has held a range of positions in the European Parliament. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Common Market Studies and has published widely on EU topics.

1. The EU's Institutions: an Overview; 2. Institutional Change in the EU; I. PROVIDING DIRECTION; 3. The European Council; 4. The Council of Ministers; 5. The College of Commissioners; 6. The European Parliament; 7. The European Court of Justice; II. MANAGING THE UNION; 8. The Commission's Services; 9. Managing the Euro - the European Central Bank; 10. Managing Europeanization - The European Agencies; 11. Financial Control - the Court of Auditors and OLAF; III. INTEGRATING INTERESTS; 12. Security Interests - Police and Judicial Cooperation; 13. International Interests - the Common Foreign and Security Policy; 14. National Interests - COREPER; 15. Political Interests - the European Parliament's Party Groups; 16. Social and Regional Interests - The Economic and Social committee and Committee of the Regions; 17. Conclusion