Suchergebnisse

This paper sketches a historical & analytical framework for the interpretation of the process of European integration. The chosen approach tries to relate the European regional integration to the processes of the formation & consolidation of nation-states. The latter completed the process of European territorial differentiation of the Middle Ages common heritage based on Christian cultural identity, Latin high-language & culture, & Roman public law, Germanic common law, & Church Canon law. European integration is interpreted as a new phase of development of the European system of nation-states characterized by an uneven process of territorial de-differentiation, which generates tensions due to the decoupling of the formerly territorially overlapping principles of identity, solidarity, & legitimized decision rules within the nation-state. 3 Tables, 2 Figures, 29 References. Adapted from the source document.

Armin von Bogdandy, Petros C. Mavroidis, & Yves Meny produced a Liber amicorum in honor of Claus-Dieter Ehlermann, one of the best known experts on the European Constitutional Treaty & European integration. The volume, European Integration and International Coordination (2002), contains valuable contributions by several famous authors & professionals. The answers to some pressing questions constitute the core of the publication: Has information technology removed the territorial connotation of the law? How can the law adapt to the new global village? Is it possible to have a world juridical system without the existence of a world government? The authors seek for answers in the classic concepts of international law. M. Williamson

The deepening of European integration has altered the institutional configuration of social rights by weakening the traditional coercive monopoly of the state on actors & resources that are crucial for domestic redistributive arrangements. The article investigates such process in four steps. Firstly, it revisits the classical notion of citizenship -- stressing the importance of "boundaries" -- to offer both an adequate conceptualization & a historical background to the problem. Secondly, it focuses on social rights proper & develops an argument about the way in which European integration is redefining & challenging the established boundaries of social citizenship, in its national configuration. Thirdly, it offers a detailed map of how social rights actually operate in the EU, at different levels of provision. The map is organized around two dimensions: a territorial dimension, highlighting new exit/entry options across geographical frontiers & a membership dimension, highlighting the different degree of closure of the various "pillars" of social protection. The final paragraph discusses emerging trends & future options for post-national forms of social protection. 1 Table, 3 Figures, 51 References. Adapted from the source document.

Issues related to "post-national democracy" are most clearly delineated in the context of a politically & economically integrating Europe. Post-national democracy in Europe should be conceptualized as an ongoing evolutionary process of democratization, with institutional arrangements being the contested focal point of that process. The absence of a demos will not stop the demands for greater citizen involvement in the governance of the European Union, an involvement which would increase the EU's legitimacy. The EU's lack of a common political community, however, will prevent it from developing a traditional government. The EU therefore will be characterized by governance without the kind of government found in national democracies. Nonetheless, an original executive institution will be constructed. The executive of the future will carry out many (but not all) of the key functions of an executive without, however, benefiting from the kind of legitimacy that national government executives enjoy. In institutional terms, the character of the executive will render European post-national democracy distinctive, & the electoral link between the citizenry & that executive will be the most contested issue as democratization proceeds. Institutional originality & innovation are likely, therefore, to continue to characterize the process of European integration. 106 References. Adapted from the source document.

A review essay on books by (1) Michael J. Baun, A Wider Europe: The Process and Politics of European Enlargement (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2000); (2) David P. Calleo, Rethinking Europe's Future (Princeton, NJ: Princeton U Press, 2001); (3) Kenneth Dyson & Kevin Featherstone, The Road to Maastricht: Negotiating Economic and Monetary Union (Oxford, UK: Oxford U Press, 2003); (4) John Gillingham, European Integration 1950-2003: Superstate or New Market Economy (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge U Press, 2003); & (5) Larry Siedentop, Democracy in Europe (London: Penguin, 2000). The article provides a detailed look at several central questions in the recent history of the European Union: monetary union, enlargement, federalism in Europe, Euroscepticism, & the role of Europe in international politics. The article concludes by reflecting that the twin challenge of "deepening" & "widening" the European Union after Maastricht has not had the results that were expected & hoped for. The EU is finding that emerging as a coherent international force is beyond it, but that retracing its steps is impossible. Adapted from the source document.

A report summarizing debates on proposals for European integration at the European Council of Laeken, on the eve of the introduction of the euro. Among issues discussed are the following: European defense & security policy; adding more countries to the EU; interventions (humanitarian & military) in Afghanistan; position on the war against terrorism; the general economic outlook; the Lisbon strategy; employment; sustainable development & quality of life; research & development; consolidation of the European social model; a common asylum & immigration policy; more efficient control of foreign borders; international cooperation in legal & law enforcement matters; foreign policy statements on the Middle East, the western Balkan nations, Africa, & Russia; & cooperation on development matters. 2 Appendixes. J. Sadler

A review essay on books by (1) J. D. Huber & C. R. Shipan, Deliberate Democracy? The Institutional Foundations of Bureaucratic Autonomy (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge U Press, 2002); (2) R. D. Kelemen, The Rules of Federalism: Institutions and Regulatory Politics in the EU and Beyond (Cambridge, MA: Harvard U Press, 2004); (3) A. Moravcsik, The Choice for Europe: Social Purpose and State Power from Messina to Maastricht (Ithaca, NY: Cornell U Press, 1998); (4) M. A. Pollack, The Engines of European Integration: Delegation, Agency, and Agenda Setting in the EU (Oxford, UK: Oxford U Press, 2003); & (5) J. Tallberg, European Governance and Supranational Institutions: Making States Comply (London: Routledge, 2003). References.

Has Germany changed after the reunification? Is the country still actively involved in the building of Europe? Is it still a leader in the European Union & will the French-German axis still be the focal point of Europe? Does Germany strive to go beyond European boundaries to take a more incisive role in the international scene? How will the relationship between Italy & Germany develop in the future? In order to find answers to these & other questions on Germany's foreign politics, the University of Pavia held four conferences between Nov & Dec 2003, for Political Science students specializing in European integration & history of international relations. Two Italian & two German lecturers offered different perspectives on contemporary Germany & its relation with Italy & Europe. M. Williamson

European integration (as well as other instances of the shifting of power from the nation-state to supranational levels) has raised hopes & concerns for its effect on power distribution among different actors, in particular, on the presence & role of the civil society. Focusing on the Europeanization of political mobilization & communication, this article addresses the specific problem of the formation of supranational public spheres. Looking in particular at the Italian mass media, on the basis of a systematic coverage of four daily newspapers, 1990-2002, & semi-structured interviews, the authors argue that various forms of Europeanization of the public sphere are indeed on the rise, with a growing presence of not only purely European actors, but also European targets & frames. Comparing the presence of institutional & non-institutional actors, Europeanization appears to have been in the public sphere traditionally a "top-down" process: in fact, the more Europeanized a policy, an actor, a target or an issue scope is, the less civil society actors seem to have access to the public sphere. However, some changes across time emerge, with the development of (contentious) forms of "Europeanization from below.". 5 Tables, 1 Figure, 1 Appendix, 62 References. Adapted from the source document.