Will Ukraine ever be an EU member? Why don't we have a European army yet? Does crisis make the EU stronger? The European Union has great influence on the lives of its citizens. That situation can prove to be controversial. Decisions made by the EU often lead to misunderstanding and resentment. Aside from these controversies, it is clear that the Union today, is the result of a myriad of choices by policymakers throughout the years. A better understanding of these choices and of the recent history of the EU allows us to better grasp its impact, and offers insight into why certain subjects are harder to place. This revised and updated edition of Why Europe? offers a historical as well as thematical insight into the development of the European Union. Drawing from six questions that put main events, key figures as well as the defining moments of the past 70 years in the foreground, this book lays out the essence of European integration. AUTHORS: Steven Van Hecke is associate professor in Comparative and EU Politics at the University of Leuven (Belgium). Kamiel Vermeylen is a journalist for Belgian political medium Knack, specialising in European politics. SELLING POINTS: . Multidisciplinary view on European integration . Focus on key moments and protagonists . Written in a concise, accessible style