Decision-Making in the European Union

Peterson and Bomberg provide a comprehensive but readable introduction to EU decision making. They distinguish between three levels of decision-making. At the so-called "super-systemic" level history making decisions about the EU system are being made. Examples of this kind are the Maastricht or Amsterdam treaties. At the systemic level, the EU institutions (Council, Parliament, Commission, Court of Justice) interact and decide directives. Details of such directives are worked out at the sub-systemic level where the committees of these various institutions are active. The authors also spend some time explaining the basic makeup of these EU institutions. They then concentrate on the most important policy areas. All in all, this book can be recommended both to beginners and further advanced students of European integration.