The Justification of Europe: A Political Theory of Supranational Integration
Jürgen Neyer
Abstract
This book submits a political theory of supranational integration that is established on the individual right to justification. This right is integrated in a procedural theory of justice that builds on the work of Rainer Forst. It is a theory that is both normatively sound and empirically applicable to the EU. This theory takes individual liberty as its normative backbone and understands governance arrangements as instruments for fostering this value. Its conceptual heart is the individual right to justification, that is, the right of all of us to receive good reasons for any limitations that ... More
This book submits a political theory of supranational integration that is established on the individual right to justification. This right is integrated in a procedural theory of justice that builds on the work of Rainer Forst. It is a theory that is both normatively sound and empirically applicable to the EU. This theory takes individual liberty as its normative backbone and understands governance arrangements as instruments for fostering this value. Its conceptual heart is the individual right to justification, that is, the right of all of us to receive good reasons for any limitations that are imposed on our freedom by political institutions and political actions. National and supranational political institutions are legitimate to the extent that they promote the right to justification. The EU is understood to be an entity structurally similar to other governance bodies. Just like any other governance arrangement, it must meet the standard of contributing to justificatory practices between power holders and citizens and can be assessed according to the questions of whether and to what extent it complies with this condition.
Keywords:
European Union,
legitimacy,
justification,
procedural theory of justice,
democracy
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2012 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780199641246 |
| Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: January 2013 |
DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199641246.001.0001 |
Authors
Affiliations are at time of print publication.
Jürgen Neyer, author
Professor of European Politics, European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder)
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