The purpose of studying the constitutionalisation of the EU is to obtain vital information on the prospects for supranational democracy in Europe. WP 2 analyses the impact of the dual processes of EU constitutionalisation and Europeanisation of national constitutions on the reconstitution of democracy in Europe. Which conception of democracy do these constitutional processes speak to – a national, European, or cosmopolitan reconstruction of democracy? Will they undermine or consolidate national democracy? How well do the processes and the results reflect democratic requirements?
WP 2 also derives lessons from the likely defunct Laeken constitutional experience and sees this in light of relevant non-European cases of contemporary democratic constitution making. Further, through analysing constitutional adaptations at the national level we gain valuable insights into the factors that increase the democratic legitimacy of the supranational and the national levels of government, and policy implications are derived from these.
Research from the project is published in academic journals and books, as well as in RECON’s publication series (reports and online working papers). A complete list of publications and presentations from WP 2 is available for each year of the project.
This research group organises a number of workshops and
conferences, as well as panels at international conferences. Complete
list of WP 2 events.
