The essence of European Union law in one concise volume: This book provides for a quick yet profound overview of the construction and operation of the EU - thus of its 'genetic' patterns. Focus rests on the basic determinants of EU law, like the concept of supranationality and its constitutive elements, the Union method, the hierarchy of norms in the EU legal system, the enforcement of EU law and the impact on the legal systems of the Member States. Beyond that, the book also provides ample detail on a wide range of issues like the setup of institutions and institutional decision-making, EU competences and legislation, court procedures, the cornerstones of the EU's historic development and many more. That information is limited in scope and depth, but still carefully tailored to always provide a full picture. In addition, the book also includes a section on EU law's key substantive norms, particularly internal market and competition law.