ABSTRACT

The proposed enlargement of the European Union to include countries from Central and Eastern Europe has become an important political issue. Widening the European Union focuses on those institutional reforms of the Union that may be necessary to make the enlargement possible. The institutional structure, originally designed for the Union of just six states, might not be suitable for a EU of twenty-seven or more member states.
An overview of current rational choice theories of institutional change is provided before the volume focuses on several aspects of institutional reforms in the Union.
Widening the European Union contains contributions from a distinguished team of European academics. This book is a valuable resource to students of the European Union with an interest in its politics and policy, enlargement and institutional reform.

part |2 pages

Part I Introduction

chapter 2|18 pages

Rational choice and institutional change: an overview of current theories

An overview of current theories Institutional rules and political battles

part |2 pages

PART II Constitutional aspects of enlargement

chapter 4|22 pages

Enlargement of the European Union

Determining the boundaries of an optimal legal area

chapter 5|17 pages

The politics of institutional change: diverging goals for reforming the European legislature

Diverging goals for reforming the European legislature Different criteria for joining the Union’s club

chapter 6|22 pages

An even wider Union

The effects of enlargement on EU decision-making

part |2 pages

PART III Reforming European Union decision-making

part |2 pages

PART IV Dynamics of widening

chapter 10|19 pages

A never-ending success story?

The dynamics of widening and deepening European integration

chapter 12|15 pages

A federal European constitution for an enlarged European Union

Insights from constitutional economics

part |2 pages

PART V Conclusion

chapter 13|8 pages

Changing times: the future of enlargement of the European Union and the theoretical challenges ahead

The future of enlargement of the European Union and the theoretical challenges ahead Reforms and enlargement: perspectives and problems