Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material / Joakim Nergelius -- Chapter I. The Nordic States and Continental Europe: a Two-fold Story / Joakim Nergelius -- Chapter II. The EU Constitution Viewed in the Light of Fundamental Constitutional Theories / Ola Zetterquist -- Chapter III. The European Union Seen from the Top the View of an Inside-Outsider / Agust Thor Arnason -- Chapter IV. Homogeneity and Differences: the Concept of a Core Europe for the Future? / Rainer Arnold -- Chapter V. European and National Law in History and Future: Some German Perspectives / Joachim Heilman -- Chapter VI. A New Garment for an Old Question: a Clash between Mans Rights and Citizens Rights in the Enlarged Europe? / Pasquale Policastro -- Chapter VII. The Italian EU Presidencies and the De-Legalization Policy / Carlo Rossetti -- Chapter VIII. The EU Constitutional Treaty and the Member States: Reflections on a Quasi-Federal Polity / Takis Tridimas -- Chapter IX. Mind the Gap: the European and National Constitutional Debates the Truly Missing Link / Joakim Nergelius -- Table of Cases / Joakim Nergelius -- Index / Joakim Nergelius.

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In the complicated legal and political situation that reigns in Europe at the moment, characterized not at least by the uncertainty of what happens with the proposed EU constitution after negative results in the French and Dutch referendums in 2005, it has become increasingly important to analyse the EU constitutional frameworks from historical and comparative perspectives. This book provides new insights based on perspectives from Member States such as Germany and Italy as well as the Nordic Countries. It also deals with European legal and philosophical heritage in general, as well as special issues like closer cooperation among ‘Core States’ and the role of the Court of Justice in recent EC law development. It is of interest both for legal practitioners and scholars as well as students of political science and history.