European Sovereignty, Legitimacy, and Power

This book explores how the EU's dual sovereignty-legitimacy problem can be resolved through the concept of European citizenship, which can define the scope of European sovereignty and justify EU power beyond national democracy. It argues that sovereignty should be based on the will of citizens acting through various political bodies within the EU and develops a general theory applicable to any political order.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The European Union (EU) faces a complex challenge in maintaining its dual sovereignty and legitimacy, particularly in the face of growing nationalist and populist movements across Europe. This book offers a novel and innovative approach to resolving this problem by advocating for the concept of European citizenship.

European citizenship, as proposed by the book, is a political concept that can serve both to define the scope of European sovereignty and to justify EU power beyond national democracy. It reconceptualizes the EU's legitimacy problem and demonstrates how sources of legitimacy can be identified and give rise to European sovereignty.

The book argues that sovereignty should be based on the will of citizens acting through various political bodies within the EU, including city halls, regional entities, national governments, and EU institutions. It develops a comprehensive theory of sovereignty that is arguably applicable to any political order.

The EU is an unprecedented political project that is in tension with traditional forms of state legitimation based on national democracy. Nationalists and populists throughout Europe often make clear their opposition to the EU and its perceived erosion of national sovereignty. Against this backdrop, the book fully articulates the notion of European sovereignty and argues that the EU's sources of legitimacy are based on European citizenship and national democracy.

The book will be of key interest to scholars and students of EU politics, European integration, international institutions, and international relations. It provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the EU's dual sovereignty-legitimacy problem and offers a practical and forward-thinking solution to this pressing issue.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367673819