This clearly written and comprehensive book, a true twenty-first-century enterprise, is the only work that offers a sustained and unified set of both country case studies and analysis of the European Union. The contributors, an authoritative group of Americans and Europeans, explore the new Europe--west and east--using intertwining themes of domestic politics, European integration, and European security. Each chapter provides a foundation of basic political information and explanation, enhanced by distinctive and informed perspectives on current issues. In this fourth edition, all existing chapters have been thoroughly revised, and completely new chapters have been added on France, Italy, Poland, the global economic crisis, economic governance, law and politics, migration, and security. With its strong international emphasis, this book will lead readers toward a coherent view of intra-European conflicts, Europe and the United States, and Europe's international responsibilities.