In a comprehensive and systematic fashion, this book provides a clear and accessible introduction to the European Union's policies, dealing with institutional, procedural and substantive policy matters. It provides an overview of the various dimensions of competition control, including restrictive practices policy, monopoly policy, merger policy and state aid policy, and the increasing policy interest in state-owned firms, public utilities and the services sector. The authors highlight the key role of the European Commission and its pivotal relationship with the European Court of Justice and set EU competition policy in the broader context of international trade reform, globalization and the consolidation of regional trading blocks.