European Union in the Global Context explores the interplay between the state and state sovereignty, nationalism, European integration and globalisation. It provides essential foundations in these areas, while using stimulating arguments to prompt discussion and provoke interest in the relationships between these processes. It critically analyses the challenges faced by the EU from the contemporary political and economic dynamics of globalisation (IPE), including trading relationships set through the WTO and bilateral relations with emerging markets, especially the BRICS economies.

Likewise, pressures from within, such as a resurgence of nationalism, localisation, anti-austerity politics, and Euroscepticism, are examined. While the Union is fundamentally challenged by pressures from above and below, and by its own internal dysfunction, it remains central to the effective management of the international political economy.

European Union in the Global Context is a lively, focused and engaging text, incorporating anecdotes and contemporary arguments, and presenting different perspectives on European integration and globalisation. It will be of key interest to students of European Politics, European Studies, European Union Studies, and more broadly, global political economy, foreign and security policy and international relations.

Dr Simon Sweeney is a Reader in International Political Economy in the School for Business and Society at the University of York (UK). He is an experienced writer, and author of Europe, the State and Globalisation (Pearson Education, 2005). He has an extensive knowledge of EU literature, comprising EU history and development, institutional characteristics, policymaking, including foreign and security interests and 20 years' experience of teaching EU and European politics at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.