This book provides a general introduction to the European Union (EU) as an ever closer union of states and peoples. It describes how, from its origin in 1958 as an economic community of six states, the EU has grown into a political entity of 25 states with a population of more than 450 million. It also explains the constitution-making process that is currently taking place--with a draft constitution now being submitted for ratification by the 25 member states. The book shows how the distinctive features of a democratic polity that characterize the separate EU member states are gradually replicated in the European Union and how the Union is on its way to becoming a democratic polity of its own kind.
Van Gerven writes from a legal perspective, with an eye to political theory and recent American and European history, and with a diverse readership from both sides of the Atlantic in mind.

This book provides a general introduction to the European Union (EU) as an ever closer union of states and peoples. It describes how, from its origin in 1958 as an economic community of six states, the EU has grown into a political entity of 25 states with a population of more than 450 million. It also explains the constitution-making process that is currently taking place--with a draft constitution now being submitted for ratification by the 25 member states. The book shows how the distinctive features of a democratic polity that characterize the separate EU member states are gradually replicated in the European Union and how the Union is on its way to becoming a democratic polity of its own kind.
Van Gerven writes from a legal perspective, with an eye to political theory and recent American and European history, and with a diverse readership from both sides of the Atlantic in mind.

This book explains to a general audience what the European Union is about and how it has grown since 1952 into a polity of 25 States and a population of more than 450 million people. It explains the constitution-making process that is currently taking place in the European Union, and the significance of the draft constitution which has been submitted for ratification by the 25 member states. The book is written from a legal perspective, but contains many references to political science and recent American and European history. It aims to show how the distinctive features of a democratic polity that characterize the Member States can be gradually transplanted to the European Union. To make the book useful to a more specialized set of readers, such as students of law and politics, it contains a large number of notes that contain detailed information and point to additional reading on a variety of topics. The book draws on the author's exceptionally wide and profound knowledge of the institutions of the EU, its history, its laws and its varied cultures. "This book, written by one of the greatest scholars of European law, provides a rare insight into the evolving European constitutionalism. Its analytical narrative explores themes of democracy, accountability, human rights and the rule of law and draws comparisons between the US and European political systems. The end result is an excellent essay on European governance" Professor Takis Tridimas, Queen Mary University of London

This is the complete version of the Casebook on Tort Law,part of which was already published in 1998 under the title Tort Law: Scope of Protection. Additional subjects covered in this book include the tort/contract divide, causation, remedies, fault and unlawfulness, liability for others, liability not based on fault as well as defences. It is part of the Casebooks for the Common Law of Europe' series, developed for use throughout Europe and aimed at those who teach, learn or practice law with a comparative or European perspective. Readers will find therein leading cases, legislation and other materials from the legal traditions within Europe, with focus on English, French and German law as the main representatives of those traditions. Materials are chosen and ordered so as to foster comparative study, and complemented with annotations and comparative overviews prepared by a multinational team. The whole Casebook is in English. See the detailed webpage for this book: http://www.casebooks.eu/tort/.