The European Union. A polity of states and peoples

Abstract:
This work moves on the underlying premise that the European Union becomes a full-fledged democratic political entity by the replication of the Members States’ political systems at the EU level.

The book is organised over seven substantive chapters followed by an epilogue. Chapter one offers background information on the EU institutions and the Union’s identity and values. Chapter two examines the accountability of the executive government and the political accountability of EU Commissioners. Chapter three looks at the rule of law and the need to protect basic rights and fundamental freedoms. The fourth chapter examines the issue of good governance, while chapter five examines civic responsibility, open government, and citizen participation. Chapter six presents a description and analysis of the proposed Constitution for Europe. The way forward for European government is examined in chapter seven and the book closes with a short epilogue dealing with events since the completion of the manuscript.

The work will interest scholars, students, researchers and politicians engaged in the fields of European studies, Comparative politics and European integration.

Walter van Gerven is a former Advocate General at the European Court of Justice and has held chairs in law at the Universities of Leuven and Maastricht.