How does governance work in the EU? What are the institutions that create and execute policies? The EU is a work in progress. Setting up a system of governance is a continous process of institution building. In this module you will learn about the basic institutional framework of the EU and how, for example, the member states decided to introduce the Euro as the common currency.

Learning Objectives

  1. You will be able to explain and distinguish between different areas of regulation (i.e. the Three Pillars of the EU).
  2. You will be able to assess this interrelated set of policy-making institutions of the EU (i.e.what we call today “multilevel governance”).
  3. You will be able to identify the key players in the decision-making process and the different roles they play.
  4. You will be able to discuss the underlying principles on which these policy-making institutions are built.

Study Guide

  1. Print pdf version of study guide.
  2. Learn about the three main pillars (Chapter 1).
  3. Read Chapter 2 in the “Guide for Americans,” visit the major institutions of the EU, and learn about the key players in EU legislation.
  4. Visit the European Commission.
  5. Visit the Council of the European Union.
  6. Visit the European Parliament.
  7. Visit the European Court of Justice.