*** DAVID BLANCHARD: La constitutionnalisation de l'Union européenne. Editions Apogée (11 rue du Noyer, F-35000 Rennes. Tel: (33-2) 99324595 - Fax: 99324598 - E-mail: apogee.rennes@wanadoo.fr). "Publication du Pôle européen Jean Monnet, Université Rennes I" series. 2001, 476 pp, 35 euros. ISBN 2-84398-106-9.
Treaty or Constitution? David Blanchard, Doctor of Law at Paris University, considers the dilemma in his doctoral thesis, which forms the basis of this book. While it is true that the Court of Justice has recognised the "constitutional" scope of various measures in the Community Treaties, the Treaties cannot be seen as a Constitution. It would probably be more accurate to talk about a Constitution (object) in the making or perhaps even of a Constitution (subject) in the making, as does the author. Dynamically analysing the multitude of interactions that enliven the Union, he also notes its gradual emancipation. As Prof. Jean-Louis Quermonne explains in the preface, it is as if rather than the debate getting bogged down in turgid terms of Treaty vs Constitution, the author's work lucidly demonstrated the necessity of being inventive.
Throughout the book, David Blanchard scans the history of the European project from a constitutionalising viewpoint. Initially, constitutionalising served above all as a basis for an attempt to build the Community, and then the Union, as a constitutional object. But focussing on constitutional identity means that the Union now has to be seen as a constitutional subject in the making, he argues, adding that the gradually ripening fundamental cohesion is gradually turning into the Union's constitutional identity, with the gestation of structural coherence becoming its foundation. This fundamental cohesion is analysed in the first part of the book, the second looking at what he terms structural coherence. He sheds light on a double background movement made up of the ripening of standard-forming fundamental cohesion and the management of overall structural coherence of the Union faced with the demands posed by democracy. In the conclusion, an argument in favour of a formal affirmation of the Union's constitutional identity, David Blanchard highlights the demand for democracy in the interests of citizens that cannot be achieved without citizen involvement.
A book for our times (the author assesses the impact of the Nice Treaty) that stands out not simply through its original analyses and proposals, based on the triptych of cohesion, coherence and identity, but also through its rich documentation on Community and comparative law.
Alain Dremière
*** MARCELLO ACCORSI: La citoyenneté européenne. Projet politique pour une union fédérale. European Parliament (Research Directorate General, Social and Legal Affairs Division, B-1047 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2842753 - Fax: 2849050 - E-mail: jantoine@europarl.eu.int). "Public Freedoms" series, No 10. 2001, 46 pp, 7 euros. ISBN 92-823-1614-9.
If European citizenship is a single signifier, it is well and truly connected with a multitude of signifiés. In its formal, or "idealised", dimension it can be found in Articles 17-22 of the Treaty of European Union. In its society, or "real", dimension, it remains an object that is constantly in the process of being formed. This working document attempts to build bridges between two poles of meaning, noting that the institution of common citizenship is one of the most significant aspects of the European integration process. In other words, the ideal was brought closed to reality. Author Marcello Accorsi supports the thesis whereby the still weak nub of measures establishing European citizenship in its formal dimension may represent the true foundations of a federal union of European states. In the first chapter, the author lingers over the significance of this new formalised concept. In the second, he describes the chaotic and obstacle strewn history leading to the Community structure taking on an ever greater role as a common home and an integrated area of civil and political liberties at the base of which one finds a series of values shared by the most representative national political forces. The third chapter attempts to describe in a non-exhaustive manner the new citizens rights that emerged from the Maastricht Treaty. While the opinions expressed are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the European Parliament's position, it seems appropriate to point out that this is a working document published by the European Parliament.
(AD)
*** CELINE BELO, BRUNO CAUTRES: L'Union européenne et ses citoyens. La Documentation Française (29 quai Voltaire, F-75344 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 40157000 - Internet: http://www.ladocfrancaise.gouv.fr ). "Problèmes politiques et sociaux" series, No 871. 2002, 80 pp, 7 euros.
Inscribing European citizenship in Article 8 of the Maastricht Treaty did not automatically give rise to the feeling of actually being a European citizen. For the most part, citizens tend not to find their place in the European political system. This observation, which in itself is enough to justify the holding of the Convention, is at the heart of this analysis by two French researchers, usefully recorded in this publication. Usefully because they go further than simply skimming the surface and shed light on the hidden surface. For example, no matter how worrying the euroscepticism and the protest movements that now accompany European summits may be, surely they translate above all the fact that the Union has reached, as the authors put it, the stage of integration that no longer allows it to seem a consensus? It now produces policies that arise from ideological choices and therefore fuels and gives rise to argument. Considered carefully, the low level of involvement of citizens in European elections could be less the proof of lack of interest in the Union as a whole and more the sign of lack of interest in elections because of the confusion at election times between national and European issues and the lack of a system of parties understood at the European level. The authors argue that it is not false to consider citizens as full actors in the European political system these days since it is obvious that the action of the European political system can only be recognised as legitimate when the desire of European citizens to see it intervene in one area or another coincides with the desire of the elite and the opinions of experts. Clearly, the question of knowing what version of Europe we want is not only a matter of concern for the European Parliament or the Convention and the European Parliament and Convention would be making a mistake if they forgot that. One hefty problem remains - a genuine European public opinion does not exist yet since national issues remain trapped within national interpretation formulae. This amounts to saying, with some justification and pertinence, that if there is a democratic deficit in the Union, the European Institutions are more victims of it than its cause.
(MT)
*** MARK LEONARD, TOM ARBUTHNOTT: Next Generation Democracy. The British Council and The Foreign Policy Centre (Internet: http: //http://www.network-europe.net ). 2001, 16 pp.
The idea that the democratic deficit is the biggest problem that today's Europe has to deal with is a subject on which the Foreign Policy Centre and the British Council have based a series of conferences, seminars and publications. This document marks the cornerstone and overture of the series. The authors explain that the democratic deficit is a disease that won't be solved by treating it as a European problem that can be patched up by the Brussels institutions. Their brochure argues the case for explaining the crisis of legitimacy the European Union is going through by the ever greater divide between citizens and local, national and even multinational political institutions. The Union cannot simply limit itself to looking at its own structures, but must also help democracies to raise their heads. It is time for debate.
(AD)
*** 2001, EPP-ED Group Activity Report. Research - Documentation - Publications division of the EPP-ED Group (European Parliament, 60 rue Wiertz, B-1047 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2842226 - E-mail: epp-ed@europarl.eu.int - Internet: http: //http://www.epp-ed.org ). 2001, 292 pp.
In this publication the EPP-ED Group at the European Parliament presents a balance sheet and notes on its activities over the past year, ranging from parliamentary work in the narrow sense to meetings with political personalities and the big political issues of 2001, the Group's publications and study days.
(MT)
*** KEN DUCATEL, JULIET WEBSTER, WERNER HERRMANN (Eds.): The Information Society in Europe. Work and Life in an Age of Globalization. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (4720 Boston Way, Lanham, Maryland 20706, US. Internet: http: //http://www.rowmanlittlefield.com ). "Critical Media Studies" series. 2000, 324 pp. ISBN 0-8476-9590-5.
This collection of academic essays presents an overview of the impact of modern information technology and communications on companies and policies in Europe. Twenty authors from various universities (in Germany, the UK, Scandinavia and elsewhere) consider the economy, work and life in the new information society. Unfortunately, despite a very clear and useful systematisation of the subject, the articles seem to be based only on information, developments and literature from the mid 90s and therefore the impact of the Internet has not been fully taken into account. All the same, the book's general and sociological comments are worthy of attention, particularly in terms of its contributions concerning regional development in the information society, the apprentice labour market and the repercussions of modern technology on democracy.
(PB)
*** VITTORIO MACCHITELLA (Ed.): Il "Digital divide" ha un'influenza nelle relazioni tra l'Europa ed il resto del mondo ? - The "Digital divide" has an influence on the relations between Europe and the rest of the world ? Unioncamere Sede di Bruxelles (22 rue de l'Industrie, B-1040 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5122240 - Email: sede.bruxelles@unioncamere.be). 2001, 45 pp.
The information society has seen a new gulf being created between industrial and developing countries and also within economically wealthy countries - the digital divide. The issue is broadly outlined in this publication by André Danzin, President of the international human sciences forum and member of the Rome Club… who takes advantage of the opportunity to settle scores with the European institutions. The introductory note is also commented upon by a member of Commissioner Nielson's cabinet and a World Bank advisor.
(MT)
*** TIC@Europe.edu. Les technologies de l'information et de la communication dans les systèmes éducatifs européens. Eurydice (Unité européenne, 15 rue d'Arlon, B-1050 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2383011 - Fax: 2306562 - E-mail: info@eurydice.org - Internet: http: //http://www.eurydice.org ). 2001, 194 pp. ISBN 2-87116-325-1.
In order to give an overview of the situation in various countries with regard to the integration of information technology in the education system, Eurydice carried out a survey in thirty countries, viz. the fifteen EU Member States, the three countries that alongside the EU make up the European Economic Area and the twelve candidate countries. What are the objectives and strategies underlying policies to introduce ICT across the whole educational system? What specific implementation measures have been taken (national initiatives, action plans, pilot projects and the like)? How are ICT responsibilities shared out among the various levels of government? What public-private partnerships have been set up or are being planned to implement large scale initiatives? The survey reported upon in this publication answers these questions in great detail.
(MT)
*** Flux financiers de l'enseignement obligatoire en Europe. Diagrammes 2001. Eurydice (see above). 2001, 72 pp. ISBN 2-87116-328-6.
At the heart of discussions over the future of compulsory education lie the funding and resource management of educational institutions, and such issues are also of concern to all politicians throughout the Union. This booklet contains diagrams giving a country by country overview of the financial flows whereby funding arrives at school. Information about the finance from sources other than the public sector are included. The publication's utility, alongside the fact that it gives examples of good practice, is that it gives a balance sheet for the twelve candidate countries that are already involved in the Socrates programme.
(MT)
*** Louvain. Université catholique de Louvain (1 place de l'Université, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve. (32-10) 473082). 2002, No 127, 36 pp, 2.5 euros. Subscription: 20 (Belgium) or 25 (elsewhere) euros.
This university review includes a very detailed dossier on the challenge of social insertion (local services, re-evaluation of basic education, the insertion process, placing the individual at the heart of these concerns again, the need to rebuilt a positive social identify, etc).
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg) has published the following documents:
*** Cordis Focus. DG Enterprise (Fax: (352-4301) 32084 - E-mail: innovation@cec.eu.int - Internet: http://www.cordis.lu/news ). May 2002, No 196, 27pp.
Only science makes it possible to advance and survive, claims Reiner Gerold on the cover, Director of Science and Society at the Research Directorate-General, outlining his plans for the next few months. Other subjects covered include the Commission extending until 2005 the state aid system for R&D activities, a European Parliament Committee adopting 86 amendments to the Council's common position on the 6th FP, attacks on the experimental GMO plantations could make Europe regress (in Philippe Busquin's view), action is required for reducing the digital divide, underground gas storage could be decisive in implementing the Kyoto objectives, research into electronic security has a crucial role, according to Commissioner Liikanen, in cutting the number of road accident fatalities.
*** Imaginer, montrer, débattre. DG Research (Fax: (32-2) 2958220 - E-mail: research@cec.eu.int
- Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/research/rdtinfo_fr.html). 2002. 30 pp. ISBN 92-894-1771-4.
This publication introduces the European Science and Technology Week (http: //http://www.cordis.lu/scienceweek ), using three verbs to describe it: "Imagining" (science stories, energetic friends or we're interested in our future, Life in the Universe and the unknown universe); "Displaying" (Micro-worlds, making the invisible visible, Infoplanet, the secrets of infinite energy, Are young people avoiding science?); and "Debating" ("Push 2001" or "a theatre of knowledge", "Biotech Europe" or "To eat or not to eat it?").
*** Actualité des Services Publics en Europe. Aspe Europe (36 rue de Laborde, F-75008 Paris. Fax: (33-1) 43876891 - E-mail: aspe@club-internet.fr). May 2002, No 3, 16 pp. Subscription: 490 euros.
The focal point of this issue is a "debate" on the Open Skies Agreement where the US went on the offensive again while the Union, in Commissioner Lamy's words, accepted its role, autonomy and interests through its single currency, Galileo, the battle of strength over steel and the Open Skies Agreement, etc. During the months in which these disputes were played out, the EU has become more assertive with regard to its US partner, claims the review. This issue also includes a dossier on public services on the chiming of the European hour in Switzerland (the challenge of regulation for Switzerland, public services as an element of cohesion, etc), Member States nabbed by the US with regard to telecommunications, Sabena's bankruptcy and Swissair's responsibility, transport as a regional issue, aircraft noise - the US sees the Russians crossing swords with the EU, the information society midway between bankruptcy and growth, energy consumers against a background of liberalisation and legal aspects of the new regulatory setup for telecommunications.
*** Défis Sud. SOS Faim (4 rue aux Laines, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5112238 - E-mail: info@sosfaim.be et .org - Internet: http://www.sosfaim.be or http://www.defis-sud.info ). March-April 2002,No 51, 46 pp, 3 euros.
This issue includes a dossier on the universal right of health (AIDS as the first world disease, social protection in freefall, health and security systems in reform, Teachers against AIDS, AIDS and sexuality in Africa, etc) while other articles look at the issue of migration (Black Africans in Tangiers, Frontiers and Visas, the Embassy of a New World, Are Migrants compatible with Development?).
*** Provincia Informa. Provincia di Torino (12 Via Maria Vittoria, I-10123 Turin. Tel: (39-011) 8613513 - Fax: 8613480 - E-mail: sviluppo@provincia.torino.it). March 2002, No 3, 24 pp.
This magazine for the inhabitants of the province of Turin in Italy gives information about EU policies, particularly the events organised as part of the Feast of Europe in the week looking at a new Europe. Other areas covered - enlargement negotiations, a gallery of candidate countries, short history of the Convention, the four European e-commerce directives, renewable energy funding and social protection within the Union.
*** La Lettre d'information. Ministère de la Culture. April, No 97. Paris. This issue focusses on museums.