1st Edition

Constitutionalising Europe Processes and Practices

By Michael Longo Copyright 2006
    250 Pages
    by Routledge

    250 Pages
    by Routledge

    The European Union is in a state of transformation with its constitutional future the subject of much heated debate. This book provides a durable, authoritative and comprehensive account of constitutional development, examining the pivotal roles of law and judicial politics in establishing the EU constitutional edifice. Michael Longo demonstrates and substantiates the arguments for and against constitutionalization through the development of a theoretical framework drawing on theories and empirical research in both law and political science to understand this new process of European integration.

    Contents: Introduction; The European constitutional discourse: lawyers, political scientists and constitutional development; The legal dialogue and its ramifications; Constitutional dynamics; The forces and processes shaping the EU; The constitutional imperative; The European Union's legitimacy; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

    Biography

    Michael Longo is Senior Lecturer in the School of Law and a Research Associate with the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies both at Victoria University, Australia. He is also a Fellow in the Contemporary Europe Research Centre at The University of Melbourne, Australia.

    'If only this masterly account of EU constitutional development had been available to Giscard d'Estaing and his team. It harnesses law and political science to explore contrary questions about the point of formalising the constitutional construct in terms of legitimacy and democracy or citizenship. Let the breathing space occasioned by the no votes be an opportunity for everyone to read Dr Longo's excellent book.' Elizabeth Meehan, Queen's University Belfast, Ireland 'A critical piece of research and an excellent academic study. It will be read for its clarity by scholars across a range of academic disciplines.' Philomena Murray, University of Melbourne, Australia '...[a] valuable and well-written contribution to the research on the EU's constitutional dynamics...the broad-reaching character of this excellent book is also what makes it so compelling, and it is recommended to all scholars and students wanting a better understanding of the constitutional processes and practices in the EU.' Journal of Common Market Studies 'Longo's well-written book represents a relevant contribution for a better understanding of the EU's constitutional developments, and his attempt at an integrated approach seems valuable...the book is recommended to all those eager to develop a clearer understanding of the constitutional debate beyond its conventional borders.' Political Studies Review