Drawing on international relations theory, law and historical analysis, this book compares European integration with the antebellum USA to assess what makes the EU viable despite contestation over the rules of the game of integration. It reveals that changing the system of representation is no shortcut solution for the EU's constitutional woes.
The book offers an in-depth analysis of the UK's decision to leave the EU, focusing on the lead-up to the referendum and the subsequent campaign strategies that ultimately failed. It explores the impact of Brexit on international relations and domestic politics, while also critiquing the political philosophy underlying the decision, particularly regarding the tension between direct and representative democracy. By addressing a contentious issue in an accessible way, it aims to engage a diverse audience, including academics, policymakers, and the general public.
EU Federalism and Constitutionalism: The Legacy of Altiero Spinelli is the first book-length study devoted not only to how Spinelli's advocacy for a federal Europe shaped European integration but also how Spinelli's ideas are essential to understanding the EU constitutional system today. The volume integrates perspectives from law, history, and political science to offer a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the history, evolution, and future of federal principles and institutions in the European integration process.