From Yugoslavia to the western Balkans

the long version

The Euro crisis catapulted the European Union into its most serious political crisis since its inception, leaving it simultaneously torn between opposing demands for more sovereignty and solidarity. Throughout its history, the Union has been plagued by power struggles between its member states. Periodic crises have been met by indecision and compromise that put securing agreement above effective outcomes. The complexity of its decision making processes is mainly due to the refusal to concentrate power and wish to preserve enough semblance of national sovereignty to retain the respect and loyalty of member state citizens. This edited volume focuses on the key themes of disunion, sovereignty and solidarity. It assesses all of the main EU institutions: member states, civil society actors and policy areas.