The European Union's growing accountability deficit threatens to undermine its legitimacy. This was acknowledged by the Member States in Nice in February 2001. Recognising the need to improve 'the democratic legitimacy and transparency of the Union and its institutions', they agreed to launch a debate on the Union's future. At Laeken in December 2001, the Member States decided that the debate should be carried forward in a Convention comprising the main parties involved. The debate will start to crystallise in 2004, when negotiations on a new set of Treaty changes will begin. The outcome of those negotiations will profoundly affect the constitutional and political health of the Union as it confronts enlargement to the east and south and the challenges of the 21st century. However, the Union's accountability and legitimacy deficit is so deep-seated that it is unlikely to be eradicated completely by the changes agreed. The issue will therefore remain high on the political agenda for the foreseeable future. The contributors to this interdisciplinary collection of essays consider various aspects of accountability and legitimacy in the European Union. How open should the Union's decision-making be? What is the right balance between accountability and efficiency? Does the Union now need a formal constitution? How can respect for democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law in the Union best be ensured? These are just some of the questions explored in this book. It will be of interest to anyone concerned with the future of Europe, from students and academics to policy-makers, and journalists

Foreword by the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, Member, European Commission List of contributors List of abbreviations 1. Introduction Part I: Institutions and Decision-making 2. Issues of Decision-making in the European Union after Nice, Alan Dashwood 3. Decision-making under the Second Pillar, Adrian Hyde-Price 4. Decision-Making in the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice, Jorg Monar 5. Accountability and Legitimacy: What is the Contribution of Transparency?, Peter Dyrberg 6. Enhanced Cooperation or Flexibility in the Post-Nice Era, John A Usher 7. Legitimacy, Accountability, and Delegation in the European Union, Anand Menon and Stephen Weatherill 8. The Judicial Architecture of the European Union after Nice, Laurence W Gormley 9. On the Legitimacy and Democratic Accountability of the European Central Bank: Legal Arrangements and Practical Experiences, Fabian Amtenbrink Part II: Constitutionalism and the Future of Europe 10. The case for a Constitution for the Union, Frank Vibert 11. Drafting a Constitution for Europe: a Case of Too Many "Borders"?, Sophie Boyron 12. The Delimitation of Powers Between the EU and its Member States, Grainne de Burca and Bruno de Witte 13. The EU and Democracy - Lawful and Legitimate Intervention in the Domestic Affairs of States?, Nanette Neuwahl and Steven Wheatley 14. The Rule of Law in the European Union, Anthony Arnull Part III: Fundamental Rights and Social Rights 15. Protecting Fundamental Rights in Europe: a Legal Analysis, Jeremy McBride 16. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, FG Jacobs 17. The Principle of Non-Discrimination in the Post-Nice Era, Evelyn Ellis 18. Protecting Fundamental Rights and Social Rights: An Economic Analysis, Lothar Funk Part IV: New Governance and the European Union 19. Social Policy in the Post-Nice Era, Erika Szyszczak 20. EMU and Enlargement: Twin Threats to European Regional Cohesion?, Ronald L Martin 21. EMU and the Lisbon Goals in an Enlarged European Union, Andy W Mullineux and Cillian Ryan 22. The Governance White Paper, the Commission, and the Search for Legitimacy, Daniel Wincott Part V: Enlargement and the Movement of People 23. The Enlargement of the European Union: A Legal Analysis, Christophe Hillion 24. Legitimacy and Accountability in the EU Enlargement: Political Perspectives from the Candidate States, Brigid Fowler 25. Free Movement of Persons in the European Union: The Legal Framework, Julian Lonbay 26. Managing the EU's New External Border, Judy Batt 27. Immigration after Nice: From 'Zero Immigration' to Market Necessity, Fiorella Dell'Olio Concluding Remarks 28. National States, European Union, and Changing Dynamics in the Quest for Legitimacy, Daniel Wincott Select Bibliography Index

`Review from other book by this author Easy to understand; suitable for undergraduate students, up-to-date and well-developed' Dr K Bromek-Broc, University of Hull |d 13/03/2001