*** PAUL MAGNETTE: Le régime politique de l'Union européenne. Presses de Sciences Po (44 rue du Four, F-75006 Paris. E-mail: info@presses.sciences-po.fr - Internet: http: //http://www.sciences-po.fr ). "Références inédites" series. 2003, 286 pp., 15 euros. ISBN 2-7246-0924-7.
This book will be of interest to those who seek to understand the meaning of “European federalism”, the federation of countries and fruit of a continuous process and complex balance of supra-national and intergovernmental aspirations. A senior lecturer in political science and director at the Institute of European Studies at the Free University of Brussels, Paul Magnette (also a lecturer at the Institute of Political studies in Paris) weighs up, balances and nuances the Euro sceptic criticism and Europhile arguments punctuating Community history, as well as the work and results of the European Convention (not to mention the flagrant failure a few days ago of the Intergovernmental conference etc).
The author considers that the way Union works is determined by a balance of power. Magnette points out to those who are afraid of seeing countries disappear into the immensity of Brussels-style Europe that the subsidiary principle completes the action achieved by the different countries. The respective counties are under the control of the Union via the Court of Justice and the Commission, two bodies erected as guardians of the treaties. Paul Magnette then examines the Community model and the decision-making processes that results from the institutions. He touches on the acephalous political system of which neither the European Commission, European Parliament, nor Council is leader. The Union is a democracy based on consensus. In each of the components of the institutional triangle, the agreements goes way beyond simple majority voting. The political role of the Court of Justice is also studied in light of the tasks it performs, its “audacious caution”, the judges confronting politicians and the “voluntary servitude” of the politicians when facing the judges. The book also explores the Court's “old age”, a victim of its own success, which must now come to terms with public opinion.
Paul Magnette points out that the political parties, unions, interest groups and media are not Europeanising at the same speed at the European powers. In practical terms, the weight of the collective players results from three factors. Their motivation depends according to the territory they occupy because the socio-economic situation varies from country to country. The degree of Union competence is the second brake on the process. Education continues to be within the national remit, a situation that therefore does not encourage Europeanised attitudes among the groups in this field. The last factor is located in the modes of action and procedures in decision-making, each belonging to the individual competencies and sometimes resulting in pressure groups focusing their attention on their national authorities European parties remain embryonic for three reasons Although the names are identical, the ideologies are not always the same at the different national levels, with the intergovernmental character of the Union reinforcing this aspect: members of a party often find their closest allies among their compatriots from different political families Political parties are not in fact necessarily adapted to the Union The interest of a party are to elaborate projects relating to education, tax, culture, criminal law and security, subjects which are usually found in the national arena. Defining a European programme that is likely to interest citizens but not covering these subjects is not an easy act to perform
In conclusion, Paul Magnette tackles issues associated with trans-national democracy and points out that the Union's institutions are not the most overly controlled in the world. Nonetheless, Europe's citizens identify a democratic deficit. The author thinks that the reason for this is because citizens do not distinguish the different political orientations of the Union or the way in which they are constructed. This observation, together with the failure of the Heads of State and governments to each an agreement on a constitutional treaty, do not contribute to undermining this argument at all.
Nathalie Joskin
*** HUBERT HAENEL, FRANCOIS SIGARD: Enraciner l'Europe. Editions du Seuil (27 rue Jacob, Paris VIe. Internet: http://www.seuil.com ). 2003, 187 p., 14,50 euro. ISBN 2-02-060446-9.
Europe putting down roots means, according to the authors of this book, rooting the idea of Europe in close proximity to its citizens and helping Europeans feel that they are part of this set up. To achieve this end, they outline four main axis. Firstly, provide it with an identity, which involves accepting its linguistic and cultural diversity and finding a third way between globalisation and national identities. The system for strengthened cooperation will, in this respect, be a solution because “the European identity will result from a multiple rapprochement between different forms from which will gradually emerge feelings of common belonging”. Hubert Haenel, the president of the Delegation from the French Senate to the European Union (also a member of the European Convention on the future of Europe) and François Sigard, a civil servant at the French High Assembly, consider that the Franco-German couple can also play a role in the definition of this identity. The creation of a public space could also contribute to Europe putting down roots. In an effort to reconcile conflicting logic - intergovernmentalism, integration and federalism, a president of the Council, would, according to the authors, be the solution insofar as the person holding this function would make the European executive identifiable. The two authors also argue that a “Congress of European Peoples” would link European political life with that of national political life, while better application of the subsidiary principle would help this process of putting down roots by again involving national parliaments. (NJO)
*** VIVIEN A. SCHMIDT: The European Union. Democratic Legitimacy in a Regional State ? Institut für Höhere Studien / Institute for Advanced Studies (56 Stumpergasse, A-1060 Vienna. Tel.: (43-1) 5999-0 - fax: 59991-555 - Internet: http: //whttp://www.ihs.ac.at ). Collection "Reihe Politikwissenschaft / Political Science Series", n° 91. 2003, 24 p., 6 euros.
Taking the famous sentence of Abraham Lincoln, “Government by the people, of the people and for the people”, the author of this study, a Jean Monnet University professor of European integration at the University of Boston, develops a comparative investigation into the American and European systems of democracy. Hence, he distinguishes between “input democracy” and “output democracy”, the first referring to Rousseau (by the people) and the second to Montesquieu (for the people). Within the European system, democracy “for the people” prevails over the Rousseau approach but the author considers that it is necessary, within the Union framework, to complete Lincoln's sentence by adding “with the people”. Through consultative democracy, the Union attempts, explains Vivien Schmidt in a specific chapter, to govern with its peoples and minority interests. (NJo)
*** I diritti fondamentali in Europa . Guiffrè editore Milano (40 Via Busto Arsizio, I-20151 Milan. Tel.: (39-2) 38089290 - fax: (39-2) 38009582 - Internet: http: //http://www.giuffre.it ). 2003, 41 p., 3,50 euro. ISBN: 2-11-116945-5.
This book was compiled by the Italian Association of Comparative Law. It follows the fifteenth two-yearly symposium that took place in Metz and Taormina between 31 May and 2 June 2001. The meeting brought together a large number of Italian legal experts whose reflections and contributions are examined in the book. During the symposium the profiles of the Charter of fundamental Rights of the Union, announced at Nice, were examined in detail. Trans-national dialogue and vertical cooperation between judges, different doctrines and workers in the legal field are also examined. Member States of the Union are seeking the catalogue of rights as soon as possible, (which involves the construction of a common legal heritage). Researchers who took part in the editing of this book considered that the necessary political will for convergence towards a quality institution supporting this charter, was still lacking. This is why they make an appeal to legislators and legal practitioners to acquaint themselves with European law and then national law, the latter being considered as subsidiary to the former. The authors then examine the polemic provoked by the Charter of fundamental rights and the different points of view expressed in Europe. This weighty tome is dived into three parts. The first focuses on civil and commercial law. The second looks at public law. The book also contains a comparative study of “European culture”, civil rights and legal cultures. The question of civil rights in Africa is also tackled. The third part provides the different reflections relating to criminal procedures. The third and final part is addressed to specialists in the area. The Charter constitutes an examination of a range of different choices insofar as it is the first example of an international text assembling civil, guarantees of freedoms and social law. (MRo)
*** SANDRO AMOROSINO, ANNA ALESSI (Editors): Le regole europee per la comunicazione. Guiffrè editore Milano (40 Via Busto Arsizio, I-20151 Milan. Tel.: (39-2) 38089290 - fax: (39-2) 38009582 - Internet: http: //http://www.giuffre.it ). 2003, 154 p., 13,50 euros. ISBN 88-14-10440-9.
This book is the final product of a collective effort made by experts, parliamentarians and a group of law students and attempts to constitute a basis for the initiative of the Italian government and the Italian delegation. It focuses on information and communication in the new Europe. Inspired by the Italian presidency of the Union and the successful accomplishment of the Convention's objectives, the Institute examines media and multi-media innovations and has elaborated this document with the aim of introducing principles and values pertaining to equality in the new European constitution. It therefore hopes that the future constitution will take into account the pluralism of the new European multi-media scenario. The authors hope that their work will contribute to national and European audio-visual production and protect audio-visual heritage in all Member States, which are being brought closer together in a single European economic and cultural identity. Achile Chiappetti, one of the writers of the book, explains, "We want a constitution that can ensure cohabitation and respect in Europe, a Europe that we consider as ours, insofar as we have helped design it". (MRo)
*** MARIO B. MIGNONE: Italy today. Peter Lang (15 Jupiterstrasse, CH-3000 Berne. Fax: (41-31) 9402131 - Internet: http: //http://www.peterlang.net ). Collection « Studies in modern European history ». 1998, 464p. ISBN 2-8027-1768-5.
This revised edition of Italy today presents a documented history and panorama of the country from the end of the Second World War to the present day. The book takes a multi-disciplinary approach and examines the different aspects of the peninsula, which provides the reader with a global and focused view of the stakes at play and current debates in Italy at the dawning of the new millennium. The book is divided into four parts. Initially it describes the constitutional reforms and dangers for the country, notably organised crime and relations between the USA and Italy. Professor Mignone is Head of the French and Italian Departments at the State University of New York where he also teaches. The second part of the book sheds light on the economy of the country and post Second World War reconstruction in the country, as well as social changes of recent years, divisions between north and south in the country and immigration and emigration. It provides an insight into the educational system, secularisation of the state and society, the question of the family and related reports. The last part of the book explores the enlarged cultural sphere and describes the changes in language, literary and artistic representation as well as “cultural consummation” in the media, press, television and cinema. Italy today is a comprehensive book which backs up its analysis with a wealth of information.
(JSi)
*** A. PIZZORUSSOM R. ROMBOLI, A. RUGGERI, A. SAITA ET G. SILVESTRI (Editors): Rifflessi della Carta europea dei diritti sulla giustizia e la giurisprudenza costituzionale: Italia e Spagna a confronto. Guiffrè editore Milano (40 Via Busto Arsizio, I-20151 Milan. Tel.: (39-2) 38089290 - fax: (39-2) 38009582 - Internet: http: //http://www.giuffre.it ). 2003, 322 p., 29 euros. ISBN 88-14-10192-2.
This book takes another look at the subjects debated in the symposium, "Constitutional Justice and Fundamental rights". The influence of the European Charter of Human Rights on Italian and Spanish jurisprudence is also examined. The book looks at how the influence of the ideas contained in this text impact on the current internal legal system of fundamental rights. The distribution of competencies between the different Community and national bodies is also looked at. (MRo)
*** LOUIS DUBOIS, CLAUDE GEYDAN: Les grands textes du droit de l'Union européenne. Dalloz (31-35 rue Froidevaux, F-75685 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 40645454 - fax: 40645460 - Internet: http: //http://www.dalloz.fr ). Collection "Grands textes", Tome 2: droit matériel. 2003, 869 p.. ISBN: 2-247051030
This publication addresses Community legal practitioners and examines the directives, regulations, decision and resolutions produced by the Community institutional on legal matters. The first part of the book presents the different texts and the second part provides an assortment of the main decisions reached by the Court of Justice in this field. (CFo)
*** EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following documents:
*** From Aarhus to Kiev and beyond: the EU's contribution to Environment for Europe. 2003, 24 p. ISBN 92-894-5397-4.
The "Environment for Europe" process was launched in 1991 with the two-fold objective of supporting common actions on the environment on a Europe-wide level and providing more weight to environmental consideration in economies in transition. This publication examines the major efforts made by the Commission in this process between the Aarhus Conference of 1998 and that of Kiev last May. It also covers the priorities of the guardians of the treaties concerning actions in the context of the next round of enlargement of several eastern European countries, the main targets in this process.
*** Europe infos. Comece et Ocipe (42 rue Stévin, B-1000 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 2350510 - fax: 2303334 - E-mail: debbichi-ocipe@tiscalinet.be). November 2003, No. 54, 12 p. Subscription: 27 euros.
"Solidarity…to what point" is one of the subjects covered in this issue. The monthly editorial points out that European solidarity should now be much more obvious with the accession of the ten new members that during the era with the entry of the countries of the south a few years ago. The question of enlargement and that of the European constitution, particularly the place of religious heritage are also found on the menu. Other subjects focus on security policy, euthanasia and non-respect of religious freedom in china. The setting up of a European Higher Education Area is also tackled by way of an analysis of the different agreements at a Community level agreed to in this field.
***Hémisphères. Consortium "6 November" (25 rue Gratès. B-1170 Brussels. Fax: 6758327 - E-mail: colophon@online.be). September-October-November 2003, n°22, 12 p. Subscription: 9 euros.
This journal looks at the debates and developments related to the paradox of the very grey area of alternative globalisation campaigners whose motivation and remit are not always easy to fathom. The publication also looks at the failure of Cancun and the " new powers" such as the unions and NGOs.
*** The CEPII Newsletter. Centre d'études prospectives et d'informations internationales (9 rue George Pitard, F-75740 Paris Cedex 15. Tel.: (33-1) 53685500 - fax: 53685504 - Internet: http://www.cepii.fr - E-mail: Hurion@cepii.fr). Summer 2003, n° 19, 8 p..
This newsletter focuses on the shattering of the speculative bubble on the financial markets in 2004. This experience led to reductions in spending and restructuring. The magazine also provides a summary of different research, which demonstrates that the free market does not generally lead to a reduction in the difference of Gross Domestic Products per inhabitant in the different countries, thus undermining the theories of Bane-David. As from January 2004 the hard copy version of this publication will be replaced by an electronic format.
*** Monthly Bulletin. European Central Bank (29 Kaiserstrasse, Postfach 160319 D-60066 Frankfurt am Main. Tel.: (49-69) 13440 - fax: 13446000 - Internet: http: //http://www.ecb.int ). November 2003, 118 p..
The monthly bulletin of the European Central Bank constitutes an important source of economic data. This issue examines the economic and monetary situation in the Euro zone and provides the results from investigations into bank loans and network industries. The main article focuses on the influence of the rate of the dollar on the European economy. The publication also contains articles on the challenges for the international community and the financial crises experienced in the economies of the emerging markets.
Reviews in brief
*** Slovenia News. Government PR and Media Office. No. 41. November 2003, Ljubljana. The summary contained in this issue focuses on the efforts made to change the image of the armed services in the country and the government's cultural safeguarding programme. *** Japan Echo. Japan Echo Inc.. No. 10. October 2003, Tokyo. This edition of Japan Echo examines relations between North Korea and the debate on Japan's armed services and nuclear weapons.