Britain in the European Union Today

by Colin Pilkington

• ISBN13: 9780719057908
• ISBN10: 0719057906
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2001-05-04
• Publisher: Manchester University Press

Summary

Europe remains the great fault line in British politics, the issue with the power to make or break prime ministers and government. This second edition offers a clear, concise introduction to the European Union and the role of Britain in European politics. Colin Pilkington explains how the EU has grown, and then covers the impact of the EU on British policy-making and on European legislation. He also explores the British participation in the EU's democratic processes, through representation in the European Parliament and through the developing idea of European citizenship. Pilkington concentrates on the impact of Britain's EU membership following the Maastricht Treaty. New to this edition is coverage of the introduction of the Euro, the reform of the Commission, the Amsterdam Treaty, the elections of 1999, and Agenda 2000.

Author Biography

Colin Pilkington is currently Chief Examiner in GCSE Politics for AQA.

Table of Contents

Preface to the second edition	vii
Abbreviation	x
Introduction	xiii
Part I History and structure of the European Union
The origins and growth of the European Community, 1945-85, from the British perspective	2	(23)
1985-99 - the single market, Maastricht, monetary union and Agenda 2000	25	(25)
The institutions of the European Union at the turn of the century	50	(28)
Part II The impact of Europe on the British political system
Sovereignty and constitutional change	78	(22)
Policy and the decision-making process	100	(29)
The impact of European legislation on British policy issues	129	(29)
Part III Participation
Representation - election and the European Parliament	158	(19)
British political parties and Europe	177	(17)
The citizen of the European Union	194	(31)
Conclusion: the future of the European Union - enlargement and constitutional reform	207	(7)
Appendices
1 Composition of the European Parliament after the elections of June 1999	214	(2)
2 European elections	216	(1)
3 The status of areas of the British Isles not part of the United Kingdom	217	(2)
4 Allocation of portfolios of EC commissioners	219	(2)
5 Rotation of the European presidency	221	(1)
6 British criteria for joining the euro	222	(1)
7 Agencies established by the European Commission or the Council of Ministers	223	(2)
Further reading and sources of information	225	(3)
Index	228