The European Union : a polity of states and peoples / Walter van Gerven.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gerven, W. van (Walter)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Europe--Politics and government--21st century.

Europe.

European Union.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (415 p.)

Place of Publication:

Stanford, Calif. : Stanford University Press, 2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Acknowledgments

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

1 The European Union's Institutions, Identity, and Values

2 Accountable Government

3 The Rule of Law

4 Good Governance

5 Open Government

6 Making a Constitution for Europe

7 Which Form of Government for Europe?

Epilogue

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780804767606

0804767602

9781423716624

1423716620

OCLC:

61247573