Knud Erik Jorgensen – författare

This book is the first to systematically introduce and apply a social constructivist perspective to the study of European integration. Social constructivism is carefully located in terms of its philosophical and methodological origins. The wider debates and contribution of constructivist approaches to international relations are reviewed, and the insights that might then be afforded to European studies fully explored.

Highlights include: new theoretical contributions to the debate by Ernst B. Haas, Andrew Moravcsik and Steve Smith; research on key aspects of European integration and EU governance applying a variety of constructivist approaches.

The Social Construction of Europe provides new and important insights to a key area of contemporary study and research.

This book is the first to systematically introduce and apply a social constructivist perspective to the study of European integration. Social constructivism is carefully located in terms of its philosophical and methodological origins. The wider debates and contribution of constructivist approaches to international relations are reviewed, and the insights that might then be afforded to European studies fully explored.

Highlights include: new theoretical contributions to the debate by Ernst B. Haas, Andrew Moravcsik and Steve Smith; research on key aspects of European integration and EU governance applying a variety of constructivist approaches.

The Social Construction of Europe provides new and important insights to a key area of contemporary study and research.

'A most useful book that can be highly recommended. A strong analytical framework coupled with unparalleled coverage of the major issues of the political science research of the EU makes this volume a formidable tool for teaching and a significant input to new scholarly research. It is both relatively sophisticated and very accessible to graduate students and advanced researchers. The clear writing style and the richness of information presented will certainly make this book interesting for non-academic readers' - Igor Vidacak, Institute for International Relations, Zagreb - Journal of Common Market Studies

'An admirably comprehensive source book for those interested in how the tools of political science inspire EU area studies. The editors enlist leading researchers to synthesize the state of the art in their field of expertise. The Handbook of European Union Politics will be an indispensable intellectual resource for researchers, teachers, and graduate students of the European Union' - Liesbet Hooghe, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA

'Presents an excellent overview of political science research on the EU. It finds the right balance between establishing the state of the art and pointing the reader to theoretical diversity. Highly recommended for advanced students and scholars looking for quick and solid orientation in a fragmented field - and for new ideas for research' - Frank Schimmelfennig, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

'This is a milestone in the study of EU politics. The authors include the most knowledgeable practitioners in the field, and collectively they provide a comprehensive and highly competent overview of the state of theory and research on EU institutions, politics and policies' - Fritz Scharpf, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, Germany

The European Union (EU) poses quite profound questions for scholars and students of the social and political sciences. This benchmark handbook is designed to:

- provide an authoritative state-of-the art guide to the scope of the field suitable for both established scholars and students of the EU

- reflect and contribute to the debates about the nature of the field of EU studies and EU politics in particular

- explore in detail the development of the many approaches to the study of EU politics.

Divided into four sections, the Handbook focuses on theorizing European integration; the EU as polity; politics and policy making in the EU; and the EU and the international system.

Its appeal will reside not only in its comprehensive and authoritative coverage of the field, but also in the quality of its contributors, and the diversity of theoretical and methodological approaches included. The resulting volume is a 'must have' for all scholars and advanced students of the EU and European integration.