Routledge Guide to the European Union

Dick Leonard is a journalist, author and former Labour MP. He was Assistant Editor of The Economist for 12 years, and has also worked for The Observer, the BBC, the Fabian Society, the Centre for European Policy Studies and the Publishers Association. Robert Taylor runs European Research Associates, a Brussels consultancy specialising in European public policy. For more than 30 years, he worked as a journalist and foreign correspondent, covering the European Union, reporting on its performance, policies and personalities.

• IntroductionPart I: The Background1. The Origins 2. Evolution 1958-20103. The EU under strain 2008- 4. The TreatiesPart II: The Institutions5. The Commission6. The Council of Ministers7. The European Council8. The European Parliament9. The Economic and Social Committee and The Committee of the Regions10. The European Court of Justice11. The Court of Auditors12. The European Investment Bank13. Other EU bodies14. The Bureaucracy: facts, figures and costsPart III: The Competences15. Financing the Union16. Trade17. The Single Market18. Competition Policy19. Economic and Monetary Policy20. Taxation21. Agriculture22. Fisheries23. Research and Innovation24. Regional Policy25. Workers’ Rights26. Energy27. Transport28. The Environment29. Climate Change30. Justice and Home Affairs31. Consumers32. Education33. Women's Rights34. Culture and The Media35. Citizens' Rights and Symbolism36. Development Assistance37. Foreign, Security and Defence PolicyPart IV: Special problems38. Enlargement39. The UK: In or Out?40. The Future Appendices1. Basic statistics of EU member states2. Presidents of the High Authority, Commission & European Council3. The European Commission 2014-194. The Directorates-General and Services of the Commission5. Addresses of main institutions & specialised agencies6. Political party groups in the European Parliament7. Overseas links with the EU8. The treaties of Maastricht, Amsterdam, Nice and Lisbon9. Chronology of main events concerning the European Union

"Ever since it was first published, Leonard’s Guide to the European Union has played an invaluable role in unravelling these mysteries and complexities [of the European Union]. It is especially valuable, and rare, for doing so in a sober, meticulous and non-partisan way… No one could be better qualified to produce an updated, authoritative and highly readable guide than Leonard and Taylor." - Bill Emmott, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist from 1993-2006."The Economist Guide to the EU is the best book I know that explains clearly the complexities of the EU to the intelligent layman… Curios (sic) voters will find this book a useful source of objective information about the EU, and I have no doubt that it will be respected as such by both defenders and critics of the EU. In the longer run many students, business people or politicians that need to deal with the Brussels institutions will feel that they should own this book." - Charles Grant, Director of the influential think-tank, the Centre for European Reform (CER)."Dick Leonard's Guide to the European Union has long had a deserved reputation for clarity and reliability. His new, updated edition comes at an important moment in the history of European integration and will be a valuable aid to the public debate in Britain and throughout the European Union." – John Palmer, former European Editor of The Guardian and former Political Director of the European Policy Centre."An indispensable guide still highly relevant to the debate, and, arguably more important than ever. Whatever happens from now on, Brexiteers and Remainers should appreciate this wonderful guidebook, written by two of the greatest experts on the European Union.’ - William Keegan, senior economics commentator, The Observer"In times like these, politicians, journalists and the public are desperate to find a concise but authoritative exposition of the ways and workings of the EU. In this book, they find just that: from the history of the EU, through its institutions to an examination of the competences. An invaluable guide in uncertain times!" - Kier Starmer, QC MP, and Shadow Brexit Secretary