European Union Political Economy Theory and Policy

Konstantinos Hazakis
The European political economy: policy and theory, provides students, researchers and policy
makers with a profound understanding of the theory and policy of the EU. The book covers in a
comprehensive way the key issue areas of the European Union activity and it includes an
analysis of all the important current developments in Europe such as the Brexit, the European
Union sovereign debt crisis, the European economic governance problems and the
macroeconomic adjustment challenges within Eurozone. The book also includes critical
resources for readers and students such as review questions, appendixes, references and further
readinglists.

More specifically, the textbook explains thoroughly the institutional, economic and policy
characteristics of the fundamental issue areas of European economy. It outlines the institutions
and mechanisms of European union/Eurozone, the common agricultural, regional and trade
policies, the impact of the single market and the single currency on European economy, the
enlargement process and the key questions on the European macroeconomic adjustment process.
In each chapter the book explains not only what is taking place in European economy but also
which the feasible options of the European policy agenda are.

The textbook enables readers to apply conceptual and theoretical knowledge to economic and
political processes of European integration.

European Political Economy: Theory and Policy is a very well documented, academically sound
and comprehensively analytical accomplishment. The book is a significant contribution to the
literature, deepening and expanding further the related discourse. The Political Economy
approach enriches the analytical and methodological background and framework , enabling the
structural understanding and comprehension of a constellation of relationships among various
intervening actors, as well as various and very often competing and conflicting layers of
European integration, which otherwise would not be feasible to realize. The recommendations
for further reading and the questions at the end of each chapter further enhance the analytical and
research orientation of the book. A really excellent achievement".
 (Pantelis Sklias, University of the Peloponnese)
This new book by Hazakis offers insightful and penetrating analysis of the European unification
project. It reviews critically the current situation from a political economy point of view,
demonstrating well the timely questions that have to be answered primarily by the European
leaders. (Theodoros Pelagidis, University of Piraeus)
The book provides a powerful and illustrative analysis on European political economy issues in
theory and in practice. Readable and accessible, it thoroughly studies the merits and problems of
European integration underlining the challenges for European Union and euro area future. It
should be read by students and policymakers alike. (Bitzenis P. Aristidis, University of
Macedonia)

“The book combines theoretical and policy analysis and provides fresh insights into European
integration problems. Cutting across several issue areas of EU political economy, including
trade, single market, economic adjustment, enlargement, and Brexit, the book encapsulates the
fundamental challenges of European Union and euro area in a clear and understandable style.