ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book assesses the democratic quality of European (EU) security and defence. It offers a thorough account of the democratic condition of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) at the moment. The book discusses that EU security and defence is not adequately legitimised by the EU citizenry, a point confirmed through empirical research. It shows here how openness of information, transparency of administrative procedures and the question of democratic accountability are mandatory lateral concepts for rendering any discussion on legitimacy meaningful and analytically robust. The book revolves around the normative suggestions on how legitimacy could be boosted by allowing EU citizens to exercise their freedoms within the framework of CSDP governance. It discusses that EU citizens agonistically practising democracy can eventually develop a shared notion of European agonistic solidarity, which in its turn could significantly revitalise the project of European integration.
