Ulf Bernitz

Joakim Nergelius

Xavier Groussot

Cecilia Cardner

What are the basic principles underlying European Community Law? Although no one seeks a purely descriptive answer to this question, the discussion it gives rise to is of immense significance both for theoretical legal studies and for legal practice. Over the years, scholars have convened from time to time to re-examine the question in the light of new developments. This important volume offers insights and findings of the latest such conference, held at Stockholm in March 2007, and sponsored by the Swedish Network for European Legal Studies. The nineteen essays here printed are all final author-edited versions of papers first presented at that conference. Far from merely an updating of the First Edition, which marked a 1999 conference held under the same auspices at Malm�, this book is entirely new. It underscores the importance of discovering the emergence of new general principles--linked, indeed, to such fundamental continuing concerns as democracy, accountability, transparency, direct effect, good administration, and European citizenship--as they develop in such increasingly important areas as the following: core aspects of competition and financial integration law; the ongoing process of European constitutionalization; the application of general principles in the new Member States; the growth of European private law; the successive creation of a jus commune europaeum; and the instrumental function of the EC Court. There is also special consideration attached to such overriding issues as the gap-filling function of the principles within the Community legal system, and the implications of the use of a comparative methodology. The authors include both eminent, well-known experts, many of whom took part in the 1999 Conference, and representatives of a new generation of younger scholars in the field. For the myriad parties involved in the evolution of the European project from a legal perspective, this book serves as a watershed, a thorough inspection of the foundations as they are perceived and understood at the present moment. It is sure to be consulted and cited often in the years to come.

Reports from a Conference in Stockholm, 23-24 March 2007, Organised by the Swedish Network for European Legal Studies

General Principles of EC Law in a Process of Development

Förvaltningsprocess, normprövning och europarätt

Nils Karlson

Niclas Berggren

As countries in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries change from colonialist to independent rule, or from a socialist to a democratic society, the need for a written constitution becomes apparent. Countries in the former Soviet Union, Africa, or nations once part of the British Empire face social, economic, and humanitarian problems as they experiment with democratic rule. Such issues as clearly defining where sovereignty lies, how much power is given to the people, and what rights are possessed by a nation's citizenry are new to these countries. While a constitution, being a man-made document, is subject to interpretation and does not always delineate in a lucid framework its parameters for future generations, it is clear that constitutions do matter. This volume, compiled under the direction of the City University of Stockholm, is an important study on the significance of constitutions and constitutional law in a democratic society. A number of scholars in law, political science, and economics have contributed to this volume. They include: James Buchanan, Aleksander Peczenik, Mats Lundstrom, Joakim Nergelius, Sverker Hard, Niclas Berggren, Peter Kurrild-Klitgaard, Wolfgang Kasper, and Erik Moberg. All add to the understanding of the intertwining roles of politics and the social sciences in a modern democratic state. They explore why a constitution is essential; the relationship between a constitution and a rational political system; the democratic principle of majority rule; why constitutional constraints are needed in a democratic state; recent constitutional reforms in the United Kingdom; the electoral system and its centrality in a democracy; evolution in constitutional change; competition within a federal structure; and the connection between politics and economics. Why Constitutions Matter is a fascinating and timely study of constitutionalism, and will be of interest to students of politics, law, economics, and sociology.

Why Constitutions Matter

This book provides new insights based on perspectives from Member States such as Germany and Italy as well as the Nordic Countries. It also deals with European legal and philosophical heritage in general, as well as special issues like closer cooperation among ‘Core States’ and the role of the Court of Justice in recent EC law development.

Nordic and Other European Constitutional Traditions

Eleonor Kristoffersson

This is volume 6 in the series Swedish Studies in European Law. Arising from the work of two well-attended seminars, this new volume concentrates on highly topical issues in European Law – current problems in the enforcement of human rights in Europe and the accession of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights. Among the topics dealt with – apart from 'the accession issue' – are questions related to the enforcement of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, human rights as general principles of law, specific issues like the 'Double Jeopardy Clause' in relation to Swedish tax law, horizontal effect or so-called 'Drittwirkung' of human rights and the increased role of judicial and constitutional review in Swedish courts. The book should be of value to any reader with an interest in such matters.

Joakim Nergelius

About

Books

Join the club