The Idea of a European Superstate: Public Justification and European Integration

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Princeton University Press, 2005 - Political Science - 204 pages

Is there a justification for European integration? The Idea of a European Superstate examines this--the most basic--question raised by the European Union. In doing so, Glyn Morgan assesses the arguments put forward by eurosceptics and their critics. In a challenge to both sides of the debate, Morgan argues in support of a European superstate. Unless Europe forms a unitary sovereign state, Europe will remain, so he maintains, weak and dependent for its security on the United States.

This book represents a unique effort by a political philosopher to examine the justification of European integration. This issue is now a central focus of the debate provoked by Europe's Constitutional Treaty and European Enlargement. "In contrast to most supporters of the European project, Morgan shares the eurosceptics' belief in the importance of sovereignty. In contrast to the eurosceptics, however, Morgan believes that Europeans would have to abandon national "sovereignty in favor of European sovereignty.

The Idea of a European Superstate reshapes the debate on European political integration. It throws down a gauntlet to eurosceptics and euro-enthusiasts alike. While employing the arguments of contemporary political philosophy and international relations, this book is written in an accessible fashion that anyone interested in European integration can understand.

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Contents

Justification
12
Nationalism
33
Euroscepticism
44
Welfare
58
Security
77
A Postsovereign Europe
99
A Sovereign Europe
121
Conclusion
146
Notes
159
Index
187
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Page 4 - We have not successfully rolled back the frontiers of the state in Britain, only to see them reimposed at a European level, with a European super-state exercising a new dominance from Brussels.

About the author (2005)

Glyn Morgan is Associate Professor of Government and of Social Studies at Harvard University.

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