European Union governance and policy making: a Canadian Perspective, University Toronto Press

This book provides an introduction to the European Union (EU); it explains how the EU came about, how its institutions work, and which major policies it has established. It also takes stock of some of the most notable successes and failures of European integration. It is intended for readers who have not previously studied European integration, specifically those who are not themselves European (or based in Europe). Existing EU textbooks, though outstanding in their content, assume a considerable amount of prior knowledge from their readers. European students may have this knowledge, through exposure, but this background may not be there in learners who have, for a host of reasons, had less exposure to the EU. By making an explicit comparison to Canada it offers learners a concrete example of a decentralised federation in a real-world setting. Canada resembles the EU in a number of ways, offering a concrete case study. The book draws explicit links between the EU institutions, policies, and issues discussed and the situation in Canada, as well as the bilateral relationships between the EU and Canada. Provided in specific textboxes, these comparisons need not detract from the main message, as readers can opt to ignore the comparison if needed.