Little Guide to the European Union
On the specifics of the European polity
Contents
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1. Preface
Technical note on how the Little Guide to the European Union is designed and delivered.
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2. Introduction
The Little Guide to the European Union is for those who want to learn more about the EU or deepen their understanding of it.
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3. Politics of the European integration process
European integration is the process by which European nations harmonise their legal order through decisions adopted at the supranational level.
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4. EU arrangements for forming and making rules
About the bifurcation of the EU's executive into 'deciding' and 'implementing' functions, and the two stages of making European rules.
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5. European integration and the role of the nation state
The EU does not compete with its constitutive nations over legitimacy. Nations remain at the heart of the European project.
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6. The brand of EU federalism
The European Union is a federation. It has its peculiarities as do all federal systems.
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7. The distribution of competences in the EU
The vertical separation of powers in the EU is enshrined in primary law and follows certain constitutional principles.
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8. The euro and Europe's economic governance
The euro is, above all, a political project. It is the cornerstone of Europe's Economic and Monetary Union.
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9. Accountability and independence of the ECB
Full analysis of the role of the European Central Bank in Europe's economic life.
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10. European demos and sovereignty mismatch
A European demos does not exist as a self-conscious whole. The EU exhibits an indirectness in its legitimacy and accountability.
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11. Conclusion
A final note about the Little Guide to the European Union
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12. Changelog
This document records all changes made to the 'Little Guide to the European Union'.