A new introduction to the European Union which uses the lens of comparative politics. This approach helps students understand the EU through comparisons with domestic politics and links with broader debates in political science. The text is supported by numerous examples, and chapters include briefings, fact files and controversy boxes which highlight important information and controversial issues in EU politics to widen and deepen student understanding. The authors have developed online 'Navigating the EU' exercises that introduce students to useful sources of information on the internet and help them to analyse policy-making in the EU. This textbook is a comprehensive introduction to EU politics and covers history, theory, key institutions and participants, as well as policies and policy-making.

‘The Politics of the European Union is refreshingly new and is destined to be adopted widely as an undergraduate textbook. The authors have an excellent 'feel' for the practical workings of the EU policy process and, drawing on their knowledge of comparative politics, ask exactly the right fundamental questions about the EU as a polity.'

Professor Jeremy Richardson - Editor, Journal of European Public Policy and Fellow of Nuffield College, University of Oxford

‘The textbook is ideal for instructors who wish to provide an introduction to the politics of the European Union but also exploit the explanatory power offered by comparative politics. And it is ideal for undergraduate students who are problem-oriented but wish to move beyond mere description and understand the mechanisms behind political outcomes. Without being descriptively overloaded, the book summarises concisely the principal concerns and findings of the field, and the extent to which there is consensus or controversy.’

Fabio Franchino - Professor of Political Science, University of Milan

'Finally an EU textbook that seamlessly weaves together comparative politics and EU politics. Herman Lelieveldt and Sebastiaan Princen have written a richly textured, highly informative, yet accessible book for graduates and undergraduates.'

Liesbet Hooghe - Zachary Taylor Smith Professor of Political Science, University of North Carolina, and Chair in Multilevel Governance, VU University of Amsterdam