How Europe Influences Our Lives

Europe seems far away, but has a major impact on each of us
In 1993, Standaard Uitgeverij published the successful book The Treaty of Maastricht by Lieven Verstraete. Much has changed in the European Union since then. The most fundamental subjects to the most banal issues are now regulated at European level. National politicians usually approve these decisions. However, in retrospect, they sometimes give the impression that this is not the case, but that 'it is required by Europe'.
The Union's field of action has in any case become increasingly larger and the euro has replaced the Belgian franc. Eastern European countries were able to join the Union with much celebration, but we soon became afraid of the Polish plumber. Intense discussions arose about the future and the borders of Europe or about the democratic deficit. A European Constitution was created, but the French and Dutch rejected the text in a referendum. At the end of 2007, agreement was finally reached on a new treaty, which sets out the rules of the Union for tomorrow. In How Europe Influences Our Lives, the authors discuss the challenges in European politics, today and tomorrow. With examples and anecdotes, they explain how the European Union works and they look in particular at the influence of the Union on each of us.