ABSTRACT
How can we best describe the European Union (EU)? The answer to
this question reflects the ambiguity over the formation of the EU,
through its predecessors as outlined in the Introduction. What its
founders, and some of its member states, wanted it to be, is different
from the plans outlined by others active in its growth. There has also
been an academic debate that to some extent mirrors the dispute
between the formulators of the EU. An analysis of the nature of the EU
depends partly on whether one sees it from the top down-the international perspective-or from the bottom up, the national perspective.
It also reflects whether it is seen in existing political terms or whether
new concepts are needed to describe it.
