Understanding the institutions of the European Union is vital to understanding how it functions. This book provides students with a user-friendly introduction to the main institutions, and explains their different roles in the functioning and development of the European Union. Key features: * introduces and explains the functions of all the main institutions dividing them into those that have a policy-making role, those that oversee and regulate, and those that operate in an advisory capacity* provides students with an overview of the history of the European Union and the development of its institutions and considers their continuing importance to the success of the European Union* clearly written by experienced and knowledgeable teachers of the subject* presented in a student friendly format, providing boxed concepts and summaries, guides to further reading, figures and flowcharts, and a glossary of terms.