This textbook offers a contemporary overview of how EU policy is implemented and evaluated by businesses, governments and NGOs at the local, national and regional levels. It addresses key policy questions, such as:- Does the EU work?- Do EU policies manage to address the problems they were designed to solve?- What is the EU’s real impact on the lives of those living in the EU?- Does the EU do too little, or too much?In tackling these questions and many more, the text guides readers through all of the key policy areas - including social, environmental, defence and security policy - highlighting the key issues, successes and controversies associated with individual policy areas and recent developments. Coverage of key theories and methodological tools, along with examples and tips on how to analyse the policy process, enable readers to develop their own research practice and apply key theories to everyday scenarios. Insights from professionals show how EU policy actually works, further allowing readers to make links between theory and practice. With integrated case studies to bring the discussion to life, EU Policy in Action shows how EU policy can be highly political and contested. It is essential reading for those studying, researching and implementing EU politics and policy, as well as those interested in public policy more broadly.