Systematically revised and rewritten throughout, and updated to cover the impact ofthe Lisbon Treaty, this highly-successful and ground-breaking text remains unique in analyzing the EU as a political system using the methods of comparative political science.

Introduction PART I: GOVERNMENT Executive Politics Legislative Politics Judicial Politics PART II: POLITICS Public Opinion Democracy, Parties and Elections Interest Representation PART III: POLICIES Regulation of the Single Market Expenditure Policies Economic and Monetary Union Interior Policies Foreign Policies Conclusion.

The Political System of the European Union sets out an innovative way of analyzing, researching and teaching the European Union. Starting from the observation that the EU now possesses many of the attributes of modern political systems, Hix and Høyland argue that we should use the general theories of political science to help understand how the EU works. For each of the main processes in the EU political system – executive, legislative and judicial politics, public opinion, interest groups and democracy, and regulatory, monetary and foreign policies – the book introduces the key political science tools, reviews the relevant theories, and applies the knowledge in detailed descriptive analysis.The third edition of this highly acclaimed and groundbreaking text has been fully revised and rewritten throughout. As well as incorporating new data and the latest research, it examines the consequences of key developments in the EU, from enlargement to the Lisbon treaty and the 2009 European Parliament election.

Endorsements of previous edition: 'The best textbook on the European Union to date. Period.' - George Tsebelis, UCLA 'Hix's admirably lucid exposition melds state-of-the-art theory and rich empirical detail into what is likely to become the leading text on how the European Union's everyday political process actually works.' - Andrew Moravcsik, Princeton University This volume has a rare combination of virtues: accessible for students and required reading for EU scholars.' - Gary Marks, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The third edition of this core text offers an innovative approach to analysing, researching and teaching the European Union. For each of the main processes in the EU political system - executive, legislative and judicial politics, public opinion, interest groups and democracy, and regulatory, monetary and foreign policies - the book introduces the key political science tools, reviews the relevant theories, and applies the knowledge in detailed descriptive analysis.

The European Union Series provides an authoritative library on the European Union ranging from general introductory texts to definitive assessments of key institutions and actors, policies and policy processes, and the role of member states. Books in the series are written by leading scholars and reflect the most up-to-date research and debate. Particular attention is paid to accessibility and clear presentation for a wide audience of students, practitioners and interested general readers.