Aimed at courses that integrate the political and economic fabric of European affairs, this major, interdisciplinary textbook analyses key political, economic and social aspects of the whole of contemporary Europe.

Aimed at courses that integrate the political and economic fabric of European affairs, this major new interdisciplinary textbook analysis key political, economic and social aspects of the whole of contemporary Europe. Adopting a theme-based approach, rather than a country-by-country analysis, the text describes how economic and political factors interrelate - both in unity and diversity - to influence economic policy and performance in Europe. The text analyses the successes of national policy at the level of the nation state and the constraints , specifically the limits to national political and economic sovereignty, which arise from interdependence and comprehensively covers the development of contemporary Europe from the supremacy of the nation state in decision-making right through to European integration. The book provides relevent theoretical background to the policy area/debate in the more traditional aspects of economics and politics, but also in new issues of concern such as equal opportunities, race and environmentalism.