The European Union, Simon Usherwood
The European Union, Simon Usherwood
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The European Union
A Very Short Introduction, 4th edition

Author: Simon Usherwood, John Pinder

Narrator: Mike Cooper

Unabridged: 4 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/10/2021


Synopsis

The European Union (EU) stands out as a fascinatingly unique political organization. On the one hand, it has shown the potential for developing deep and wide-ranging cooperation between member states, going far beyond that found anywhere else in the world. On the other, it is currently in the throes of a phase of profound uncertainty about its viability and future.

Showing how and why the EU has developed from 1950 to the present day, this Very Short Introduction covers a range of topics, including the Union's early history, the workings of its institutions and what they do, the interplay between "eurosceptics" and federalists, and the role of the Union beyond Europe in international affairs and as a peace-keeper.

In this fully updated fourth edition, Pinder and Usherwood cover the migrant crisis and the UK's decision to leave the Union, set in the context of a body that is now involved in most areas of public policy. Discussing how the EU continues to draw in new members, they conclude by considering the future of the Union and the choices and challenges that may lie ahead.

About Simon Usherwood

Simon Usherwood is Reader in politics at the University of Surrey, where he specializes in the study of euroscepticism, and in UK-EU relations. As well as publishing widely in these areas, he has also been a frequent contributor to public debate, through the media, social media, and numerous public speaking events. Since 2016, he has been a Senior Fellow of the "UK in a Changing Europe" program.


Reviews

Goodreads review by C

I am a bit fan of Oxford University Press' very Short Introduction series, even if they are a bit hit or miss (with the vast majority being hit!). It makes sense that the European Union would be the subject of one of the VSI booklets. John Pinder wrote the first edition, while later editions have be......more

Goodreads review by Jack

2013 edition. A bizarre little book that spends too much time trying to convince the reader that European Federalism is the inevitable future and that intergovernmentalism is a weakness. It overtly advocates further integration, abandoning unanimous voting (to expedite legislation so nations can be o......more