Four Things Non-Europeans Should Know About the European Union

The European Union is one of the most confusing political structures in human history, so it is no surprise that many Americans–and Europeans–are confused about how it functions.

The Situation

The European Union is a supranational political organization of 27 countries, known as member states. It consists of a complex (and confusing) series of institutions, bureaucracies, and agencies. The European Parliament, of which I am a member, is just one of four main institutions, which are the primary decision-making bodies of the EU.

Th…