In the context of world governance, the EU is a novel entity. It is neither a government, nor an association of states, nor an international organization. Rather, Member States have relinquished part of their national sovereignty to EU institutions, with many decisions made and final authority residing exclusively at the EU level. In specified areas, the Member States work together in their collective interest through EU institutions to administer sovereign powers jointly.

Only the EU may legislate and adopt legally binding acts in fields including the customs union, the common commercial policy, competition rules, and monetary policy for euro countries. The EU also coordinates economic and employment policy and a common foreign and security policy.

The EU and the Member States share jurisdiction in specified policy areas including internal market rules; aspects of social policy; economic, social, and territorial cohesion; agriculture and aspects of fisheries; the environment; consumer protection; transport; trans-European networks; energy; the area of freedom, security, and justice; aspects of public health; aspects of research and technological development and space; and aspects of development cooperation and humanitarian aid.

• Agriculture
• Antitrust (Competition)
• Counterterrorism/Justice, Freedom and Security
• Economics and Finance
• Education
• Energy
• Environment
• Foreign Policy
• Food Safety/Health/Consumer Affairs
• Human Rights
• International Aid
• Science and Technology/Research
• Trade
• Transportation