John Pinder

The European Union (EU) stands out as a fascinatingly unique political organisation. 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 THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

"The core of this book is an authoritative review of the evolution and prospects of relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation, but it may be further recommended for its perceptive analysis of a decade of constitution of orderly rules for the Russian political economy." Michael kaser, St Antony's College, University of Oxford. "Enlargement of the EU to the East opens a new chapter in relations with Russia just as Russia's own situation is evolving more quickly than at any moment since the fall of the Berlin Wall. This timely new book provides an accessible and fresh account of a fascinating subject." Rt Hon, Christopher Patten, EU Commissioner for External Realtions. "The EU and Russia is a substantial and detailed contribution to the debate about the relationship between Russia nd the expanding European Union, a debate which is bound to become more urgent as the two draw closer together over the next decades." Sir Rodric Braithwaite, Senior Advisor to Deutsche bank in London, UK Ambassador to the Russian Federation 1988-1992. The authors of "The EU and Russia are positive about the prospects for partnership but realistic about the difficulties. Their book provides the facts on which the prospects can be assessed and ideas on which the development of the partnership could be based. The core of this book is an authoritative review of the evolution and prospects of relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation, but it may be further recommended for its perceptive analysis of a decade of constitution of orderly rules for the Russian political economy. Michael kaser, St Antony's College, University of Oxford.

First published as European Community: The Building of a Union, this third edition provides a detailed and coherent view of the evolution of the European Union.

Britain's relationship with its European Community partners has been bedevilled by divergent views about the aim of a political union with federal institutions. Federalism is often depicted in Britain as an alien concept with which the British cannot come to terms. Federal Union shows this view to be false.