1. The History and Constitutional Basis of the European Union

This chapter tries to set the context and provide an understanding of the historical basis of the EU, before looking in detail at its constitutional base. It considers the rationale for the EU, why it was established, what it is, and some of the difficulties encountered along that path to the present day and explains the use of the terms ‘European Union’ and ‘European Community’. The discussions cover the motives for European integration; the founding of the European Communities; the basic objectives and nature of the European Union; the widening and deepening of the Communities and Union; and future developments and conclusions.