This book presents in a concise and accessible way why the EU institutional system exists in its present form, how the EU fits into the world as a system of governance, and who is involved in EU policy processes. It outlines the historical context which has shaped the EU system, gives a summary of the system's basic principles and structures, and describes its actors, procedures and instruments. The main theme is to show that EU decision-making is not just a matter of action at some higher and separate level, of ‘them and us’, but rather that it involves different forms of cooperation between European, national and regional authorities, as well as interaction between public and private actors. Numerous short case studies illustrate how people’s day-to-day activities are affected by EU decisions, and how individuals’ concerns are represented in the decision-making process. The book provides insights and examples which will be very helpful for all students of European integration. It will also be a valuable resource for European citizens wishing to understand the basic realities and rationales, as well as some of the dilemmas, behind EU policy-making.

This book provides a concise analysis of the EU and its dynamics by paying particular attention to its day to day operation. It proposes to help students and scholars understand its evolution, its institutions, its decision-making and the interactions between the EU and various actors. Avoiding abstract theorizing, the authors propose an easy to read analysis of how the Union works while recognizing the complexity of the situation. Throughout the book, the key issues of European integration are addressed: democratic deficit, politicization, the role of member states, institutional crisis and citizen involvement.

How are decisions made in the EU?

This book provides a PRACTICAL STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE for anyone wanting to understand, study, or work with the EU institutions and decision-making. How are EU laws made ¿ and how can their making be influenced at a practical level? And what has been the impact of changes brought about by the Treaty of Lisbon?The book is designed to provide a comprehensive FOUNDATION TEXT for students, libraries and practitioners alike and is UP-TO-DATE with the range of key changes introduced under the Treaty of Lisbon.Written by a team of expert contributors, including public affairs professionals, led by Alan Hardacre of the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) in Maastricht, the book is packed with easy-to-follow figures and diagrams. The book has been descibed as "a very insightful tool for citizens, political and private actors¿ by Maro¿ ¿efèoviè, Vice-President of the European Commission and as "very much to be welcomed as a first ...providing a real nuts and bolts approach to how the EU legislative process functions" by Diana Wallis, Vice-President of the European Parliament.Recommended for...Academic courses on EU institutions and decision-making Libraries fielding queries on how the EU worksOfficials of the EU institutions needing a comprehensive ready reference EU public affairs professionalsLaw firms in the EU arenaNGOs and citizen groups that need to deal with the EU institutionsNational and regional governments involved in influencing and implementing EU legislationCandidates for EPSO exams wanting to improve their knowledge for assessment and interviewsCONTENTS:SECTION 1 ¿ HOW THE EU INSTITUTIONS WORK 1. The European Commission2. The Council of the EU and the European Council3. The European Parliament4. Other EU Institutions and BodiesSECTION 2 ¿ HOW EU DECUISION-MAKING WORKS5. The Ordinary Legislative procedure: New Codecision6. Delegated and Implementing Acts: ¿New Comitology¿SECTION 3 ¿ HOW TO WORK WITH THE EU INSTITUTIONS & DECISION-MAKING7. European information sources on the Internet8. Ethics and Transparency in the EU9. Practical Guide to Working with the EU Institutions10. Practical Guide to Working with EU Decision-Making11. Conclusion ¿ Designing a Successful EU Lobbying CampaignFull index

The first edition of the Practical Guide to the EU Labyrinth was published in 1991. 32 years and 16 editions later, Daniel Guéguen and Vicky Marissen now offer an updated and adapted edition. The Treaty of Lisbon of 1 December 2009 requires a comprehensive reform of this guide to understand the new procedures, new ways of conduct and new practices of the EU. After reading this guide, enriched with diagrams, examples and summaries, the structures, competences and procedures of the European institutions will no longer hold any secrets for you. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Former Associate Partner of EPPA, Daniel Guéguen has dedicated his whole working life to European public affairs. Daniel set up several businesses specialised in European affairs and after disposing of them in 2012, he founded PACT European Affairs, specialised in the post-Lisbon comitology procedures. Alongside this activity, Daniel Guéguen has published books that have been translated into several languages. Via articles, blogs and tweets widely circulated in international press, he has campaigned for a more operational EU that is closer to citizens. Building upon the educational nature of his books on the EU, Daniel is still today involved in many university programmes, in the USA (Harvard, Georgetown) and across Europe (ULB, Paris Sciences-Po, EDHEC, HEC, INSEAD), and at at the College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin. For his European activities, Daniel Guéguen was in 2005 awarded the rank of “Chevalier” in the order of the Légion d’honneur. Vicky Marissen’s legal background and long-standing experience in European Public Affairs make her the expert capable of assisting companies, trade associations and organisations active in highly regulated sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals and health, helping them close the procedural gap and regain impact on the EU decision-making process. Besides providing legal and procedural input on files and assistance in developing and deploying engagement strategies, Vicky provides support in communicating often technical arguments in an understandable form to different target audiences (public, private, media, etc.).

Based on exhaustive research, this book explains how the European Union makes decisions in seven major policy sectors. Written in a clear, user-friendly style, it brings the EU alive for a student and non-specialist audience. The book's central themes are that informal norms often matter more than formal rules, agency often matters more than structure, and abrupt change often punctuates deadlock. It offers a theoretically-based introduction to the lively, humorous and fascinating politics of a unique experiment in modern governance.