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The '''European Union (EU)''' is a legal and economic union of 27 European nations. It was formed in 1993 with the ratification of the [[Maastricht Treaty]], though its predecessor, the European Economic Community, was founded in 1957.

The '''European Union (EU)''' is a legal and economic union of 27 European nations. It was formed in 1993 with the ratification of the [[Maastricht Treaty]], though its predecessor, the European Economic Community, was founded in 1957.

As an institution, the EU has more powers over its member states and their citizens than is the case with most international bodies; most of its member states also use a common [[currency]], the [[Euro]]. It is not, however, generally regarded as a federation or state in its own right. Rather, it stands somewhere between these two points.

As an institution, the EU has more powers over its member states and their citizens than is the case with most international bodies; 13 of its member states also use a common [[currency]], the [[Euro]]. It is not, however, generally regarded as a federation or state in its own right. Rather, it stands somewhere between these two points.

The policies of the EU tend to be [[liberal]] by American standards, in keeping with the generally liberal political culture of European countries.

The policies of the EU tend to be [[liberal]] by American standards, in keeping with the generally liberal political culture of European countries.