Individualism - An Essay on the Authority of the European Union

Zusatztext ...highly original, thoughtful and wide-ranging monograph Informationen zum Autor Alexander Somek holds the Charles E. Floete Chair in Law, University of Iowa. He is currently a Visiting Fellow in the Institute of Advanced Studies, Berlin. Klappentext This book presents an original picture of the legitimacy underlying the European Union. Drawing on ancient and modern political philosophy, the book argues that the transnational regime is rooted in an individualist social and intellectual culture, and depends on an apolitical, isolated citizenship. Zusammenfassung This innovative study examines the authority constituting the European Union. It claims that the type of power constituting a transnational regime transcends traditional forms of constitutional legality. It argues that the European constitutional project is out of step with the normative make-up of such a regime. It is to be feared, indeed, that the adoption of a Constitution for Europe would create a smokescreen obscuring a new and disturbing reality.Drawing on the ancient tradition of linking different types of political power with the composition of the citizen's soul, the book explains that a transnational regime is based on an understanding of citizenship that is different from that underlying a constitutional democracy. Citizens are deemed to be essentially separate from one another. They abandon the larger society to itself and pursue their good in the private sphere. In place of trust and reliance in their own power to bring about change through common action, they hope to benefit from entrusting "problem-solving" to international networks of expertise. Essentially, citizens of this kind exhibit a strong commitment to individualism.The book shows how individualism is reflected in the regulatory authority that the Union claims for itself, in particular as regards the regulation of the internal market.

Product details

• Authors: Alexander Somek, Alexander (Charles E. Floete Chair in Law Somek, Somek Alexander
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 02.06.2008
• EAN: 9780199542086
• ISBN: 978-0-19-954208-6
• No. of pages: 307
• Dimensions: 159 mm x 235 mm x 25 mm
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Law > International law, foreign law; LAW / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Constitutions, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, Legal Reference / Law Profession, LAW / Jurisprudence, Political science & theory, Political science and theory, EU (European Union), Constitution: government & the state, Laws of specific jurisdictions and specific areas of law, Laws Of Specific Jurisdictions, Constitution: government and the state, Jurisprudence & Philosophy Of Law, Methods, theory and philosophy of law