The Council Of Ministers

The Council of Ministers lies at the fulcrum of decision-making in the European Union. It is a key legislative institution, an executive institution in important policy areas, and a forum through which politicians and policy-makers from the member states address shared challenges and develop collective policies.

The Council of Ministers provides a comprehensive analysis of the Council: how it works, its varied activities, functions, and its relationships with the other key EU institutions, and the member states. Review: Reviews of 1st edition: '[Will] deservedly become a standard text, be very widely used, and shape our core understandings of the Council of Ministers.' - Alberta Sbragia, ECSA Review 'The authors combine the meticulous factual and innovative research which is expected of them with their happy knack of catching what they call 'atmospheres'...

The authors have provided a framework hitherto lacking and a wealth of fact, insight and judgement, along with cogently argued conclusions and proposals for improvement in performance...' - William Nicoll, Journal of Common Market Studies 'Combines a set of full and systematic information about an institution where composition, nature and powers are unclear and misunderstood, with an in-depth analysis of its role, importance and weaknesses... [S]hould be read by anybody seriously interested in European affairs and seeking to understand the Union's ambitions as well as the nitty-gritty of one of its major actors.' - Yves Meny, Journal of Public Policy