Thesis (Masters)--Macquarie University, Division of Humanitites, Dept. of Politics, 2006. / Bibliography: p. 215-231. / The fragile state of the European Union (EU), its battle for survival with the Member States. -- The growth of the EU and the gradual transfer of powers from the Member States. -- The impact of the European Court of Justice. -- The formation of policy communities and multi-level governance. -- The Commission's sole right to initiate legislation and its reference to subsidiarity. -- The all-powerful Competition Directorate, which has an influential section of economic purists. -- The increased powers of the European Parliament and its shortcomings. -- The reluctance of national governments to adopt progressive attitudes and to let the Commission change its policies and procedures. -- The national contributions to the EU budget. -- The taxation differences between the various Member States. -- The EU constitution. -- The demographic development. -- Regional development and the structural funds. -- Competition policy. -- The Common Agricultural Policy. -- The Common Environment Policy. -- Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), the Euro, the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) and the European Central Bank. -- Transport. -- The Common Energy Policy. -- The Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ). / The European Union (EU) is partly supranational and partly inter-governmental. It is dependent on the concurrance of all its Member States for the important decisions required for the running of the EU. This causes an inherent instability in the EU. / Electronic reproduction. / 231 leaves