Since its first enlargement in 1973, expansion has become a way of life for the EU. The current round of enlargement is, however, unprecedented in its scale, in the diversity of applicants, and in the impact on EU structures and policies. This major new text brings together specially commissioned chapters to provide a coherent and comprehensive assessment of the historical and theoretical context of enlargement and its implications for the identity, governance, economics, policies and international role of the EU. INDICE The 10 + 2 Enlargement Round: Opportunities and Challenges; N.Nugent Previous Enlargement Rounds; N.Nugent The Unfolding of the 10 + 2 Enlargement Round; N.Nugent Distinctive and Recurring Features of Enlargement Rounds; N.Nugent What the New Member States Will Bring into the European Union; H.Grabbe European Identity; L.Buonanno & A.Deakin The Citizenry: Legitimacy and Democracy; J.Mather Indstitutions and Governance; D.Phinnemore Intergovernmental Politics; M.Baun The Economy of the European Union; N.Baltas The Operation of the Internal Market; G.M.Ambrosi The Budget and 'the Spending Policies'; E.E.Zeff Economic and Monetary Union; M.Chang Justice and Home Affairs; J.D.Occhipinti The European Union as an International Economic Actor; A.van den Hoven The European Union as an International Political Actor; C.Archer Development Policy; M.Carbone Theoretical Considerations; L.Miles Conclusions; N.Nugent