Part 1 The historical evolution: the post-war transformation; the development of the Community. Part 2 The institutions and political actors of the Community: the Commission; the council of ministers; the European parliament; Community Law and the Court of Justice; the European council; other institutions and actors. Part 3 Policies and policy processes of the Community: Community policies; policy processes; the budget; agricultural policy and policy processes - a detailed study; national influences and controls on Community processes. Conclusion: present realities and future prospects; chronology of main events in the development of the European Community; selected further reading.