The European Union - by Walter Van Gerven (Paperback)

About the Book

This book provides a general introduction to the European Union (EU) and describes how, from its origin in 1952, it has grown into a polity of 25 states with a population of more than 450 million.

Book Synopsis

This book provides a general introduction to the European Union (EU) as an ever closer union of states and peoples. It describes how, from its origin in 1958 as an economic community of six states, the EU has grown into a political entity of 25 states with a population of more than 450 million. It also explains the constitution-making process that is currently taking place--with a draft constitution now being submitted for ratification by the 25 member states. The book shows how the distinctive features of a democratic polity that characterize the separate EU member states are gradually replicated in the European Union and how the Union is on its way to becoming a democratic polity of its own kind.

Van Gerven writes from a legal perspective, with an eye to political theory and recent American and European history, and with a diverse readership from both sides of the Atlantic in mind.

From the Back Cover

"This book demonstrates the same lucidity and wisdom regarding the European Union that students of the European Court of Justice have come to expect from van Gerven's writings from the bench. Van Gerven raises and analyzes a series of important questions about democratic accountability and the rule of law in the EU, and about the meaning and the content of the proposed European Constitution." --Mark Pollack, Temple University
"This book, written by one of the greatest scholars of European law, provides a rare insight into the evolving European constitutionalism. Its analytical narrative explores themes of democracy, accountability, human rights and the rule of law and draws comparisons between the U.S. and European political systems. The end result is an excellent essay on European governance." --Takis Tridimas, University of London

Review Quotes

"This book demonstrates the same lucidity and wisdom regarding the European Union that students of the European Court of Justice have come to expect from van Gerven's writings from the bench. Van Gerven raises and analyzes a series of important questions about democratic accountability and the rule of law in the EU, and about the meaning and the content of the proposed European Constitution." --Mark Pollack, Temple University

"This book, written by one of the greatest scholars of European law, provides a rare insight into the evolving European constitutionalism. Itsanalytical narrative explores themes of democracy, accountability, humanrights and the rule of law and draws comparisons between the U.S. and European political systems. The end result is an excellent essay on European governance." --Takis Tridimas, University of London

About the Author

Walter van Gerven is a Professor of Law at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.