MACMILLAN The European Union and the Return of the Nation State: Interdisciplinary European Studies

This book explores the complex and ever-changing relationship between the European Union and its member states. The recent surge in tension in this relationship has been prompted by the actions of some member state governments as they question fundamental EU values and principles and refuse to implement common decisions seemingly on the basis of narrowly defined national interests. Furthermore, Brexit forces the EU for the first time to face the prospect of a major member state preparing to leave the Union. Are these developments heralding the return of the nation-state, and if so, in what form? Is the national revival a lasting phenomenon that will affect the EU for a long time to come, or is it a transitory trend? This book takes an interdisciplinary approach to answer these questions. It brings together scholars from economics, law, and political science to provide insights into the multifaceted relations between the Union and its member states from different perspectives. All chapters are based on up-to-date research findings, succinct assessments of the current state of affairs and ongoing debates about the direction of European integration. The book concludes by offering policy recommendations at European and national levels. Review “2019 will be remembered as the year when European integration was challenged more than ever before. This publication is both timely and relevant as it highlights the national debates that in one way or another will shape the future of the EU: Brexit, claims for regional independence and right-wing nationalist/populist parties’ growing success in elections in many EU member states. It is an honour for me to warmly recommend this book to scholars, and in particular, to legislators on national and community levels.” (Cecilia Wikström, former member of the Swedish Riksdag and member of the European Parliament for ALDE) “This is a timely publication focusing on contemporary challenges to European integration, and the prospects of an 'ever closer union'. Its great strength is its interdisciplinary approach and the quality of the analysis. For all interested in the future of European politics, this book provides important new insights and perspectives.” (Adrian Hyde-Price, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden) From the Back Cover This book explores the complex and ever-changing relationship between the European Union and its member states. The recent surge in tension in this relationship has been prompted by the actions of some member state governments as they question fundamental EU values and principles and refuse to implement common decisions seemingly on the basis of narrowly defined national interests. Furthermore, Brexit forces the EU for the first time to face the prospect of a major member state preparing to leave the Union. Are these developments heralding the return of the nation-state, and if so, in what form? Is the national revival a lasting phenomenon that will affect the EU for a long time to come, or is it a transitory trend? This book takes an interdisciplinary approach to answer these questions. It brings together scholars from economics, law, and political science to provide insights into the multifaceted relations between the Union and its member states from different perspectives. All chapters are based on up-to-date research findings, succinct assessments of the current state of affairs and ongoing debates about the direction of European integration. The book concludes by offering policy recommendations at European and national levels. Antonina Bakardjieva Engelbrekt is Professor of European Law at Stockholm University, Sweden, and Chair of the Swedish Network for European Legal Studies. She was Torsten and Ragnar Söderberg Professor of Legal Science (2015-2018). Karin Leijon is a researcher at the Department of Government, Uppsala University, Sweden. She is Coordinator for the Swedish Ne