This book has established itself as one of the most concise and authoritative guides to the institutional development of the European Union. Covering the evolution from the original European Communities to the Constitution for Europe, Youri Devuyst introduces the reader to the divisions and dilemmas that have resulted in today’s European Union. In doing so, the book provides much-needed clarification of the principles and practice behind the Union’s institutions, decision-making and external relations. This knowledge is of crucial importance in grasping not just the Union’s way of doing business but also the current debate on the future of the enlarged European Union and its new Constitution. Written in a clear and comprehensible style throughout, includes 20 topic-specific guides to further reading, making it the ideal source for all those who wish to understand the functioning of the European institutions.

The Author: Professor Youri Devuyst teaches Politics and Institutions of the European Union at the Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel). He has served in the Cabinet of the European Commissioner for Competition Policy and in the private office of three Belgian Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

«Youri Devuyst hat nicht nur eine pointierte Geschichte der institutionellen Entwicklung der EU, sondern darüber hinaus eine nüchterne Analyse der Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der EU am Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts vorgelegt. [...] Da das Buch zudem zahlreiche sinnvoll geordnete Hinweise auf weiterführende, allerdings vorwiegend englischsprachige Literatur enthält, sei es als zuverlässiger Einstieg in die Thematik ebenso wie als wertvolle Orientierungshilfe für Spezialisten nachdrücklich empfohlen.» (Jürgen Elvert, Journal of European Integration History) «Conceived throughout as an introductory text, this book is written with tremendous efficiency and remarkable style. Explanations and facts are put forward with clarity, precision, and accessibility even to readers unfamiliar with the EU. Furthermore, the book transpires the rich and diverse schooling of the author (law, political science, international relations), making it appealing to a wide audience.» (Rosa Comella, European Law Books) «Youri Devuyst war sowohl auf europäischer wie auf belgischer Ebene im Integrationsprozess tätig und lehrt nun in Brüssel. Er legt ein einführendes Textbook im besten Sinne des Wortes vor. Darin betont er den unsystematischen Wachstumsprozess der Institutionen Europas und weist unprätentiös einen Weg durch das Patchwork der Institutionen. Das tut er auf der Basis auch sehr guter historischer Forschungen und vermag somit einen sehr guten, auch diachronen Überblick zu geben.» (Archiv für Sozialgeschichte) «Youri Devuyst is one of the most acute observers of institutional change in the EU. His book is a gem, combining intellectual rigor, academic analysis, and practitioner insights. Anybody interested in the institutional implications of enlargement and the Constitutional Treaty must read ‘The European Union Transformed’.» (Professor Desmond Dinan, George Mason University (Virginia)) «This book is an essential work. It is eloquently written, logically presented, and full of an insider’s wisdom. Anyone interested in European integration will find themselves returning to this book again and again.» (Professor John Peterson, University of Edinburgh) «This book is so clear, well-written, and up-to-date that many different audiences will find it an excellent introduction to the European Union as it currently functions…» (Professor Alberta Sbragia, University of Pittsburgh)

Leseprobe

Contents: European Union – Constitution – Enlargement – Community method – Union’s institutions, decision-making and external relations – European Constitution.