Understanding European Union Institutions

by Warleigh,Alex

• ISBN13: 9780415242141
• ISBN10: 0415242142
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2001-10-26
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Understanding the institutions of the European Union is vital to understanding how it functions. This book provides students with a user-friendly introduction to the main institutions, and explains their different roles in the functioning and development of the European Union.

Table of Contents

Lists of Illustrations	xii
List of Contributors	xiii
Acknowledgements	xiv
PART I HOW DOES THE EU WORK?	1	(22)
Introduction: institutions, institutionalism and decision making in the EU	3	(20)
Alex Warleigh
Why study the institutions of the EU?	4	(2)
`New institutionalism' and EU theory	6	(6)
Decision making in the EU: complexity, coalitions and the lobbying imperative	12	(6)
How to use this book	18	(1)
Notes	19	(1)
References	20	(3)
PART II THE POLICY-MAKING INSTITUTIONS	23	(78)
The Council of Ministers and the European Council	25	(16)
Philippa Sherrington
Key facts	26	(1)
The Council: organisation and responsibilities	26	(4)
Evolution of the Council	30	(3)
Maintaining its authority: the Council as EU policy maker	33	(3)
The survival of the Council?	36	(2)
Summary	38	(1)
Test questions	38	(1)
Contact information	38	(1)
Notes	39	(1)
Selected further reading	39	(1)
References	39	(2)
The European Commission	41	(20)
Michelle Cini
Key facts	42	(1)
The European Commission: composition and characteristics	42	(4)
Breaking with the past? Charting the evolution of the Commission	46	(6)
The Commission in the EU system	52	(3)
After Nice: challenges and prospects	55	(3)
Summary	58	(1)
Test questions	58	(1)
Contact information	58	(1)
Notes	59	(1)
Selected further reading	59	(1)
References	59	(2)
The European Parliament	61	(20)
Charlotte Burns
Key facts	62	(1)
The European Parliament: composition, powers and functions	62	(3)
History and evolution of the European Parliament: from talking shop to legislature	65	(6)
The European Parliament and policy making in the EU	71	(4)
Looking to the future: the Nice intergovernmental conference and beyond	75	(2)
Summary	77	(1)
Test questions	77	(1)
Contact information	78	(1)
Notes	78	(1)
Selected further reading	78	(1)
References	79	(2)
The European Central Bank	81	(20)
David Howarth
Key facts	82	(1)
The ECB: composition, powers and functions	82	(4)
Brief history and evolution of European monetary authority	86	(4)
A powerful supranational institution: the ECB in the EU policy-making system	90	(5)
Enlargement and the future of the ECB	95	(1)
Summary	96	(1)
Test questions	97	(1)
Contact information	97	(1)
Notes	97	(1)
Selected further reading	98	(1)
References	98	(3)
PART III `POLICING THE SYSTEM': THE OVERSIGHT INSTITUTIONS	101	(60)
The European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance	103	(20)
Jo Hunt
Key facts	104	(1)
The European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance: composition, powers and functions	104	(3)
History and evolution of the Community judicature	107	(6)
The contribution of the Community judicature to the EU policy process	113	(3)
The future of the judicial system of the EU	116	(2)
Summary	118	(1)
Test questions	119	(1)
Contact information	119	(1)
Notes	120	(1)
Selected further reading	120	(1)
References	120	(3)
The Court of Auditors	123	(16)
Brigid Laffan
Key facts	124	(1)
The Court of Auditors: composition, powers and functions	124	(2)
History and evolution of the Court	126	(4)
The Court in the EU system	130	(5)
The future of the Court of Auditors	135	(1)
Summary	135	(1)
Test questions	136	(1)
Contact information	136	(1)
Selected further reading	136	(1)
References	137	(2)
The European Union Ombudsman	139	(22)
Philip Giddings
Roy Gregory
Anthea Harris
Key facts	140	(1)
The Ombudsman: powers and functions	140	(5)
History and evolution of the EU Ombudsman	145	(2)
The Ombudsman and EU administration: promoting good practice?	147	(8)
After the Nice Treaty: prospects for the EU Ombudsman	155	(3)
Summary	158	(1)
Test questions	158	(1)
Contact information	159	(1)
Notes	159	(1)
Selected further reading	159	(1)
References	160	(1)
PART IV THE ADVISORY BODIES	161	(30)
The Economic and Social Committee	163	(14)
Alex Warleigh
Key facts	164	(1)
The Economic and Social Committee: composition, powers and functions	164	(2)
History and evolution of the Economic and Social Committee	166	(4)
Out on the edge: the Economic and Social Committee in the EU policy-making system	170	(2)
After the Nice Treaty: looking to the future	172	(1)
Summary	173	(1)
Test questions	174	(1)
Contact information	174	(1)
Notes	174	(1)
Selected further reading	175	(1)
References	175	(2)
The Committee of the Regions	177	(14)
Alex Warieigh
Key facts	178	(1)
The Committee of the Regions: composition, powers and functions	178	(2)
History and evolution of the CoR	180	(3)
The CoR in the EU policy-making system: smoke without fire?	183	(2)
Beyond the Nice Treaty: future perspectives for the CoR	185	(2)
Summary	187	(1)
Test questions	187	(1)
Contact information	188	(1)
Notes	188	(1)
Selected further reading	189	(1)
References	189	(2)
Appendix Political Representation in the EU	191	(4)
Index	195