Uniting Europe: An Introduction to the European Union / Edition 2

by John Van Oudenaren

Overview

With the 2004 enlargement, the European Union (EU) has expanded to twenty-five member states and a total population of 450 million. The new Union faces a daunting policy agenda that includes finalizing the controversial European Constitution, managing further enlargement to countries in southeastern Europe, deciding whether to offer membership to Turkey, overcoming strains over trade, environmental issues, and policy toward the Middle East to build a new, post Cold War relationship with the United States, and making sure that the enlargement itself is a success. In this timely and accessible text, John Van Oudenaren explores how a political and economic union this large and diverse can hold together and accomplish the policy tasks that matter to its citizens: sustaining economic growth, dealing with aging populations and the costs of pensions and health care, raising living standards in poorer regions, preserving the environment, coping with the problems of immigration and political instability on Europe's borders, and facing the challenges of globalization.

To reach these goals, the author argues that the EU must build on its existing achievements: the single market, the common currency, and harmonized policies. At the same time, the Union must reform its decision-making processes and find ways to balance the needs of its member states and the competing demands of different interest groups. How the EU will evolve is still unclear; there is no precise blueprint for its future. But the historic attempt to unite Europe will have enormous implications not only for Europe itself, but for the United States as a key ally, trading partner, and, on occasion, rival. By providing an overview of the Union's institutions, laws, and policies, Van Oudenaren provides a solid foundation for understanding its history and emergence as a global economic and political power.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742536616
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/03/2004
Series:	Europe Today
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.02(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

John Van Oudenaren is chief of the European Division, Library of Congress, and adjunct professor, BMW Center for German and European Studies, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction: Peace, Prosperity, and the Challenges of European Integration Chapter 2 Development: From Common Market to Constitution Chapter 3 The Institutions and Laws of the European Union Chapter 4 The Single Market: From Customs Union to 1992 and Beyond Chapter 5 Common Policies: A Mixed Picture Chapter 6 Economic and Monetary Union: The Euro and the Eurosystem Chapter 7 The Citizen's Europe: An Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice Chapter 8 Europe as a Global Actor: Trade and Finance Chapter 9 Europe as a Global Actor: Foreign Policy and Defense Chapter 10 Enlargement Chapter 11 The United States and the EU: Partners or Rivals? Chapter 12 Conclusion: The EU, the Citizen, and Europe's Place in the World

Editorial Reviews

An excellent primer-covering a number of the central issues that dominate today's headlines. Organized and well-presented, this text clearly has the educator in mind.

Christopher Burdett

An excellent primer-covering a number of the central issues that dominate today's headlines. Organized and well-presented, this text clearly has the educator in mind.--Christopher Burdett, Virginia Commonwealth University

From the Publisher