The European Union and its Institutions at Work

Abstract

This chapter introduces the work of the European Union, focusing on the ability of the institutions to make binding legal acts, and the processes whereby such acts are adopted, on raising and spending of revenue, and on the key mechanisms which have evolved to make these activities more effective and to extend the role of the EU in the economic, social and political spheres. Where appropriate the political and economic context of the legal structures of the EU are highlighted. The chapter concludes with a discussion of interinstitutional relationships, examining the vital role of the Court of Justice in this context. Reference is also made, where appropriate, to the role of the 1996 IGC in relation to institutional processes. A good summary of the institutional status quo in mid-1995, coupled with suggestions for changes, is to be found in the Commission’s Report for the Reflection Group, composed of representatives of the Member States, charged with the task of preparing the IGC agenda (Commission, 1995a).