Librería Portfolio

A perfect introduction to the EU for those with little or no prior knowledge of the subject: concise and readable, with coverage of the key actors, policies, and developments in the EU
The book has been updated throughout to reflect recent developments in the European Union, with a dedicated chapter on Brexit which considers its impact on the wider EU
With an expert line-up combines leading scholars and practitioners with first-hand experience of the EU´s institutions, to provide a unique and engaging perspective on how the EU works both in theory and practice
Helpful learning features include innovative tools designed to expand and reinforce students´ knowledge and understanding, and encourage critical and lateral thinking
This text is accompanied by additional online resources designed to take students´ learning further
New to this Edition:
A dedicated chapter on Brexit makes this the only introductory textbook to date to fully engage with this unprecedented development in the EU.
Increased coverage of democracy and legitimacy highlights this key area of debate and contestation.



The European Union: How does it work? is the perfect concise introduction to the EU´s structure and operations for those coming to the subject for the first time. In it, an expert team of scholars and practitioners cut through the complexity to explain the key actors, policies, and developments in the European Union and how these work in practice, equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to properly understand this complex system.

The fifth edition of this successful textbook reflects the ongoing changes in the EU in light of the UK´s departure from the union and the aftermath of the migration and Eurozone crises. It also features expanded coverage of democracy and legitimacy, highlighting this important and topical debate.

Students´ understanding of the subject is aided by helpful learning features throughout the text. ´How it really works´ boxes demonstrate the working of the EU in practice and challenge students to contrast this with the theoretical perspectives they encounter. Meanwhile, ´Compared to what?´ features examine aspects of the EU and its workings in relation to other entities, encouraging students to think laterally and critically about the reality of politics in the European Union.


The text is also supported by online resources designed to make teaching and learning more effective for both students and instructors. These include:

For students:
- Test your understanding and receive instant feedback with a range of multiple-choice questions
- Revise key terms and test your knowledge of terminology from the book with our digital flashcard glossary

For registered adopters of the textbook:
- Guide class debate with suggested seminar questions and activities
- Adapt PowerPoint(R) slides as a basis for lecture presentations, or use as handouts in class.



Part One: Background
1: Introduction, Daniel Kenealy, John Peterson & Richard Corbett
2: How did we get here?, Desmond Dinan
Part Two: Major Actors
3: The EU´s Institutions, Richard Corbett, John Peterson & Daniel Kenealy
4: Member States, Brigid Laffan
Part Three: Policies and Policy-Making
5: Key Policies, John Peterson with Alberta Sbragia & Francesco Stolfi
6: How Policies are Made, Daniel Kenealy with Fiona Hayes-Renshaw
7: Democracy in the European Union, Richard Corbett
Part Four: The EU and the Wider World
8: EU Enlargement and Wider Europe, Ulrich Sedelmeier with Graham Avery
9: The EU as a Global Actor, John Peterson & Niklas Helwig
10: Brexit and the Future of Two Unions, Daniel Kenealy, John Peterson, & Richard Corbett
11: Conclusion, John Peterson, Daniel Kenealy & Richard Corbett