This book investigates the political and economic motivations behind the European Union's decision to pursue a single currency and political integration. David McKay, a scholar of comparative politics, utilizes William Riker's federalist theory to analyze the structural viability of the European project. By applying this theoretical framework to the historical context of the Maastricht Treaty, the author evaluates whether the current institutional arrangements are sufficient to sustain a long-term federal union.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of European integration, particularly for its rigorous application of federalist theory to the EU. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational text for those examining the structural challenges of the Eurozone.