This volume investigates the mechanisms and structures through which individual European Union member states manage the complex task of coordinating their national policies within the broader EU framework. The authors, B. Guy Peters, Hussein Kassim, and Vincent Wright, utilize a comparative political science framework to move beyond the standard 'Europeanization' debate. By analyzing the domestic administrative processes of ten distinct nations, they provide a comprehensive look at how national actors navigate the intersection of local governance and supranational requirements.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational comparative study for understanding the administrative realities of EU member states. Scholars frequently cite the text for its rigorous empirical approach to the domestic-level mechanics of European integration.