This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the negotiations that led to agreement in December 1991 at the Maastricht European Council, which in turn mapped the future progress of the European Community, later renamed the European Union. It examines the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and European Political Union negotiations by focusing on three specific case studies - EMU, common foreign and security policy and social policy - while a further chapter explores such topics as institutional reform. The book reviews British policy development during the intergovernmental conference, it also analyses the means by which Major managed the Conservative Party. It highlights where Britain stood in relation to other Member States and focuses on the extent to which the government attempted to influence the negotiations. Trade-offs throughout the negotiations were dependent on the ability of Member States to cultivate alliances.