European studies frequently regard the economic and social dimensions of EU integration as diametrically opposed, maintaining that this state of affairs is beyond change. This edited collection challenges this perceived wisdom, focusing on the post-Lisbon constitutional landscape. Taking the multi-layered polity that is Europe today as its central organising theme, it examines how the social and the economic might be reconciled under the Union's different forms of governance. The collection has a clear structure, opening with a theoretical appraisal of its theme, before considering three specific policy fields: migration policy and civic integration, company law and corporate social responsibility and the role of third sector providers in public healthcare. It concludes with three case studies in these fields, illustrating how the argument can be practically applied. Insightful and topical, with a unique interdisciplinary perspective, this is an important contribution to European Union law after the Lisbon Treaty.
'Dagmar Schiek has written a timely and vital book. Following financial and sovereign debt crises, the European Union is in crisis. As responses to crisis – for example fiscal union – appear to be couched in wholly technocratic terms, a European public is entitled to ask whether the European Union has any respect for established national traditions of social constitutionalism and social welfare. Dagmar Schiek addresses these questions, both in a historical and contemporary context of social constitutionalism, arguing forcefully for the need to establish social legitimacy within Europe. I recommend this book to all researchers and students of European Union.' – Michelle Everson, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK 'Is there a "European social space"? What is the place of "social integration" alongside "economic integration" in the EU? Has a "socially embedded constitutionalism" been developed in parallel with the internal market case law of the CJEU? Dagmar Schiek in her comprehensive and interdisciplinary study gives refreshing new answers under the recent Lisbon Treaty.' – Norbert Reich, Universität Bremen, Germany 'At a time of crisis and therefore a crucial juncture in European politics, Dagmar Schiek offers us an inspiring vision of the potential of the European Union. In her brilliant study, she exposes the obstacles that economic integration has posed for achievement of social justice, and provides a bold solution. Rejecting more limited models of constitutionalism, she presents a convincing alternative which is socially embedded, allowing space for action by manifold actors at multiple levels of governance.' – Tonia Novitz, University of Bristol, UK This well-researched book analyses the positioning of EU constitutional law towards economic and social integration by contrasting liberal and socially embedded constitutionalism. The book draws on a unique content and discourse analysis of all Grand Chamber decisions on substantive EU law since May 2004. It finds the EU's 'judicial constitution' to be more nuanced and more uniform than expected. While the Court of Justice enforces the constitution of integration, it favours economic freedoms under mainly liberal paradigms, but socially embeds constitutionalism in citizenship cases. The 'judicial constitution' contrasts with EU Treaties after the Treaty of Lisbon in that their new value base enhances European social integration. However, the Treaties too seem contradictory in that they do not expand the EU's competence regime accordingly. In the light of these contradictions, Dagmar Schiek proposes a 'constitution of social governance': the Court and EU institutions should encourage steps towards social integration at EU level to be taken by transnational societal actors, rather than condemn their relevant activity. Economic and Social Integration will appeal to academics and postgraduate students in EU law, EU politics, European sociology, international relations, international law, labour law, and welfare state theory. Undergraduate students in labour law, policy advisors on EU social policy and welfare state, government departments and EU Commission departments will also find much to interest them in this book.
7 The Politics of Inclusion: Comparing the Contribution of Civil Society Actors to EU Legitimacy8 EU Internal and External Social Policy in Times of Global Crisis; 9 The EU as a 'Virtuous International Actor': Human Rights Indicators and Global Governmentality; Index.
Several years after the first Greek bailout, the integration project of the European Union faces an interlocking set of political, economic, legal and social challenges that go to the very core of its existence. Austerity is the order of the day, and citizens in both debtor and creditor states increasingly turn to the political movements of the far left and right, anti-politics and street protests to vent their frustration. This book demonstrates the limits of constitutionalism in the EU. It explores the ‘twin crises’ - the failure of the Constitutional Treaty in 2005 and the more recent Eurozone crisis - to illuminate both the possibilities and pitfalls of the integration project. It argues that European integration overburdened law in an attempt to overcome deep-seated political deficiencies. It further contends that the EU shifted from an unsuccessful attempt at democratisation via politicisation (the Constitutional Treaty), to an unintended politicisation without democratisation (the Eurozone crisis) only a few years later. The book makes the case that this course is unsustainable and threatens the goal of European unity. This text will be of key interest to students and scholars in the fields of EU studies, EU law, democracy studies, constitutional studies and international relations.
This volume makes a contribution to the ongoing lively discussion on European constitutionalism by offering a new perspective and a new interpretation of European constitutional plurality. The book combines diverse disciplinary approaches to the constitutional debate. It brings together complementing contributions from scholars of European politics, economics, and sociology, as well as established scholars from various fields of law. Moreover, it provides analytical clarity to the discussion and combines theory with more practical and critical approaches that make use of the constitutional toolbox in analysing the tensions between the different constitutions. The collection is a valuable point of reference not only for scholars interested in European studies but also for graduate and post-graduate students.
In June 2009 the Institute of European Public Law of the University of Hull assembled a range of experts in relevant fields to offer papers and reach some consensus on what has been achieved in the EU legal order and what the future holds for that order given local tensions and global uncertainty.
This book discusses the future of the European Union following the failure of the Constitutional and reform treaties, examining the transformations, dynamics and major issues facing present-day Europe. Discussing key questions relating to the future of the European project, this book brings together leading academics and practitioners, including: Adrienne Héritier, Jan Zielonka, Yves Mény, Maurizio Cotta, Philippe Schmitter, ECJ Advocate General Miguel Maduro and former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox. These contributors provide provocative and innovative accounts of developments within the European Union, contrasting theoretical reflections with a more professional perspective based on first-hand experience in running European affairs. The contributions focus on three key challenges: enlargement, the end of the permissive consensus and the need for democratization of the European Union, considering questions such as: What does Europe represent to neighbouring countries and how is it addressing their expectations? How could a larger Union be governed efficiently? Are European citizens willing to delegate responsibility to their leaders to tackle European integration? Is it accurate to accuse the European Union of a "democratic deficit"? Institutional Challenges in Post-Constitutional Europe will be of interest to students and scholars of European politics, especially those with an interest in European integration/enlargement, constitutionalism, and democratization.
This book addresses the viability of the EU economic and social model within and after the global economic crisis. It identifies four key issues which warrant further discussion: (1) the asymmetry of the legal and policy framework of the euro and potential recalibration; (2) substantive tensions between the EU ’economic constitution’ and its normative aim of social justice and impacts on national policy; (3) the role of civil society, including the two sides of industry in overcoming these tensions; and (4) the EU’s global aspirations towards the creation of a viable socio-economic model. Its chapters offer two perspectives on each of the four main issues. In drawing these debates together, the book provides a broad understanding as well as starting points for future research. Bringing together different disciplinary approaches, ranging from legal studies to political economy, sociology and macroeconomics, it is a valuable contribution to the debate on the European social model and introduces new insights by focusing on legal and political tensions, the impact of the financial crisis and other economic contexts as well as global dimensions.
European Constitutionalism redraws the perimeters in the debate on the nature of the European constitution. Offering a fresh approach to both doctrinal and theoretical issues, this book discusses general characteristics of the European constitution under the headings of relationality, perspectivism and discursiveness, and contains forays to sectoral constitutionalization in the micro- and macroeconomic, social and security dimensions. European constitutionalism must be examined in its interaction with Member State constitutionalism, which plays an essential role in channelling democratic legitimacy to the EU. Written by a leading expert in the field, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars alike.