Abstract
When is a third edition not a third edition? The answer, at least in this case, seems to be: when it has completely different contents, chapter titles and authors and when even the title has been modified since the previous iteration was published. In this case, the third version sports a contraction of the previous title (from ‘European Union’ to ‘EU’), three chapters reproduced from other books and a set of brand new chapters, some of which were written by authors who also contributed to the second edition but are here writing on different subjects and/or in different combinations, and some of which were written by authors entirely new to the collection. It is all a bit confusing, because one would expect that a new edition would be prompted by the previous edition selling well and therefore proving its worth in terms of content and format, so why change it so radically? On the other hand, one could argue that the rates of change in environmental policy, economic climate and the shape and political composition of the EU are all so fast that a complete overhaul is necessary every few years, in order to deliver an effective text.
The editors make precisely this case for their thorough overhaul in their Preface to this new edition, citing not only the political shift to the right in Europe but also the increasing pressure on environmental policies in the face of economic stress globally. The result is indeed an effective text, giving an excellent introduction to the broad range of EU environmental policy activities, set in the context of the wider political developments at the supranational level.
It remains clear that any text in this field will date rapidly, regardless of the best efforts of authors and editors, but this third edition does successfully paint a broad, if somewhat rather general, picture of the state of play at the start of 2012. By focusing particularly on how policy is made, contested and revised by bargaining among multiple actors, it encourages students in particular to think of environmental policy-making as a living process, rather than a set of dry documents (although plenty of those are also referred to, of necessity). With a large dose of historical background as well, the book also makes clear how lengthy the policy process often is. There is also strong emphasis on evaluating the effectiveness of organizations and actors in the EU’s environmental debates and policies, with chapters devoted individually to key elements of the EU’s apparatus, and on clearly distinguishing between different aspects of the policy process, with stages from formulation through implementation and participation to evaluation again each receiving their own chapter.
The book is particularly well organized and explained. Each chapter starts with a clear summary of its contents, which will be helpful for students looking to focus their reading efficiently. There are also summaries for most sections, to recap on what has been covered as the reader moves through a chapter, as well as questions to prompt debate and independent thinking at the end of each chapter. The clarity of layout and language throughout is exemplary, ensuring that this new edition provides a very useful reference source for researchers and for students beginning to tackle the intricacies of EU environmental policy-making.