This book investigates the mechanisms and efficacy of the European Commission in its capacity as the primary enforcer of European Union law across member states. Stine Andersen, a legal scholar, evaluates the institutional practices employed by the Commission to monitor, interpret, and compel compliance with EU directives. The work presents a systematic framework for understanding how centralized enforcement functions within a decentralized political structure.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the practical application of EU enforcement powers. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of institutional behavior for those specializing in European law.