Law and governance in an enlarged European Union

Abstract:

This work examines the current and future legal framework for EU governance. It pays particular attention to the challenges posed by membership of the EU to the acceding states of Central and Eastern Europe and the extent to which they might participate in creation of the framework.

The book is organised in four parts. Part one explores the impact of enlargement on the legal structure and functioning of EU institutions, seeking to answer questions about the shape and nature of those institutions and their capacity to perform the essential functions of the EU. Two of the chapters in this section focus on the European Constitution and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Part two addresses the governance of labour relations, which has become a major topic for discussion among European policy-making circles. This section includes chapters on the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) and the Working Time Directive. The third part examines corporate governance and the strides made towards harmonisation of corporate law. Part four deals with domestic institution building in the acceding states and the difficulties they face in implementing the acquis communautaire.

The work will interest scholars and students, practitioners and researchers engaged in European Law, European enlargement and European Studies.

George A. Bermann is Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law at Columbia Law School, New York. Katharina Pistor is Associate Professor of Law at Columbia Law School.