Michael J Baun - Böcker

Exploring the Maastricht Treaty process and the politics of European integration, the author argues that the end of the cold war and German unification have created a new set of geopolitical realities in Europe that have affected the nature and dynamics of European union.

Exploring the Maastricht Treaty process and the politics of European integration, the author argues that the end of the cold war and German unification have created a new set of geopolitical realities in Europe that have affected the nature and dynamics of European union.

This clear and engaging text examines the process and politics of the European UnionOs OEasternO enlargement, beginning with its initial response to the 1989 revolution up through the Helsinki summit decisions of December 1999. Michael Baun explores such topics as the EUOs original decision to enlarge, the pre-accession strategy for prospective members, the key political decisions on launching and expanding the accession negotiations, and the actual progress of the negotiations. He also examines the EUOs efforts to reform its policies and institutions in advance of enlargement. Throughout, Baun weaves in understandable explanations of the complex multilevel process of EU decisionmaking. He concludes by considering the limits of enlargement and its consequences for the EUOs future development.

This work is a cross-national examination of the relationship between political culture and constitutionalism. The countries studied include Nigeria, Turkey and Japan. Questions explored include whether constitutions must evolve and whether constitutionalism is only a western concept.