ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the link between the two Grand Projects by placing emphasis on six parameters which may help to explain and analyse the reasons why both ended or seem to have ended in deadlock. It shows that the two Grand Projects, the 'European Constitution' and the 'European Civil Code project', have been overlooking the urgent questions in the further construction of Europe. 'Ideological preconceptions' refers to implicit assumptions which united elaboration of the two Grand Projects despite their conceptual differences. It discusses that the idea of a European Constitution is based on a mandate from the member states, whereas no such mandate exists in the European Civil Code project. The European Constitution is part of the history of European integration. The Lisbon Treaty passed the ratification procedure and absorbs political and academic attention. The Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR) is still an academic project. Officially, the European Civil Code project has not come to an end.
