The book contains systematic presentations of the legislative process and the functions of legislation in all 15 Western European countries that were part of the European Union prior to the Eastern enlargement in 2004. Additionally, it includes a contribution on EU legislation as well as a comparative analysis by the editor. Alongside the political science perspective, constitutional law aspects are also addressed. The countries covered are: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, and Spain.