The European Union (EU)
The foundation of the European Union (EU) was created in the aftermath of World War II in response to the economic, social and political devastations that resulted from nationalist divisions within Europe. The EU has evolved over time to include 27 countries, and operates based on the decisions of numerous governing bodies within the organization. This guide introduces the history of the EU and how it was formed, and explores how it currently operates.
Expand All Guide SectionsHistory of the EU
Find out how the six original members of the European Coal and Steel Community (Belgium, France, ... read more »
How the EU Functions
Because the European Union has formed over time and is constantly adding new members, its methods of operation continue to evolve in order to incorporate the varied needs of its members. The EU is currently comprised of several governing bodies and institutions. Below are sites that cover both the EU at large, and the various organizations within it.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you’re looking for detailed financial or voting records, visit the Web sites that represent each individual body independently; these sites are affiliated with Europa, the umbrella Web site that covers the European Union at large.
- If you want news about the EU from an outside perspective, see some of the sites listed in the “EU News” section of this Web guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview of the EU as a whole…
CBBC Newsround , a site for students and teachers, presents current issues within the EU in a straightforward, educational way. Learn the basic function of the European Union, and answer questions like, “How is it run?” “What does the EU do?” and “Who’s in the EU?” Be advised, however, that this site takes a specifically British perspective and often references the value of the U.K.’s role in the EU.
Europa provides a PDF document that details how the EU functions based on the roles of its governing bodies. Browse through this complete overview to learn about treaties and decision-making, various EU agencies and how the EU plans to function in the future.
ENA (European NAvigator) indexes thousands of articles about Europe and how the continent is governed. Select “European Organisations” from the list of topics on the left, and a dropdown menu appears. Go to “European Union” for a list of the EU’s governing bodies. You’ll find a brief overview of each one, along with hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of relevant articles.
For the European Parliament…
The European Parliament , the only directly-elected body of the EU, drafts legislation and represents EU citizens. Find documents and articles detailing recent parliamentary votes and decisions.
For the Council of the European Union…
The Council of the European Union is the legislative body of the EU. Look for articles that cover recent parliamentary decisions or go to the top of the page for information on press, policies, contracts, archived documents and more.
For the European Commission…
The European Commission deals with current events and major issues concerning European trade and policy. To learn more, visit the “A to Z” link.
For the European Court of Justice…
The Court of Justice of the European Communities is comprised of three courts and serves as the EU’s judiciary. Use the links on the left to find dropdown menus with more detailed options. Start with “The Institution: The Court of Justice” for an introduction.
For the European Court of Auditors…
The European Court of Auditors oversees EU finances. The Web site presents a series of audit reports and publications; find the latest coverage directly on the homepage.
For the European Central Bank…
The European Central Bank is the central bank for the EU. Go to “The European Central Bank” to learn about the strategy and goals of the Eurosystem.
For the European Economic and Social Committee…
The European Economic and Social Committee is a consultative group that allows EU interest groups a platform to express their opinions on EU issues. Find out what’s on the organization’s current agenda through the “In the spotlight” and “Events calendar” sections, both featured on the homepage.
For the Committee of the Regions…
Committee of the Regions allows local and regional authorities to contribute to official dialog regarding EU matters by giving them say in the development of EU law. Learn more about the organization’s role and position within the EU in the “Presentation” section.
For the European Investment Bank…
The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending bank of the EU. Scroll through “What does the Bank do?” and “How is the Bank’s work organized?” for an overview of the form and function of the organization.
For the European Ombudsman…
The European Ombudsman investigates complaints within the institutions of the European Union. The homepage details the makeup and agenda of the organization through a series of topic headings. Find issues covered beneath each heading along with archived reports, data, speeches and decisions.
EU News
As the European Union expands to include an increasing number of countries, the organization faces ... read more »
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