The European Union's growing accountability deficit threatens to undermine its legitimacy; accordingly, member states have agreed to negotiate a new set of Treaty changes in 2004. These essays consider various aspects of accountability and legitimacy in the European Union.

How open should the Union's decision-making be? What is the right balance between accountability and efficiency? Does the Union now need a formal constitution? How can respect for democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law in the Union best be ensured? These are just some of the questions explored in this book. It will be of interest to anyone concerned with the future of Europe, from students and academics to policy-makers, and journalists

FOREWORD BY THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, MEMBER, EUROPEAN COMMISSION
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
1. Introduction
PART I: INSTITUTIONS AND DECISION-MAKING
2. Issues of Decision-making in the European Union after Nice
3. Decision-making under the Second Pillar
4. Decision-Making in the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice
5. Accountability and Legitimacy: What is the Contribution of Transparency?
6. Enhanced Cooperation or Flexibility in the Post-Nice Era
7. Legitimacy, Accountability, and Delegation in the European Union
8. The Judicial Architecture of the European Union after Nice
9. On the Legitimacy and Democratic Accountability of the European Central Bank: Legal Arrangements and Practical Experiences
PART II: CONSTITUTIONALISM AND THE FUTURE OF EUROPE
10. The case for a Constitution for the Union
11. Drafting a Constitution for Europe: a Case of Too Many "Borders"?
12. The Delimitation of Powers Between the EU and its Member States
13. The EU and Democracy - Lawful and Legitimate Intervention in the Domestic Affairs of States?
14. The Rule of Law in the European Union
PART III: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND SOCIAL RIGHTS
15. Protecting Fundamental Rights in Europe: a Legal Analysis
16. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
17. The Principle of Non-Discrimination in the Post-Nice Era
18. Protecting Fundamental Rights and Social Rights: An Economic Analysis
PART IV: NEW GOVERNANCE AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
19. Social Policy in the Post-Nice Era
20. EMU and Enlargement: Twin Threats to European Regional Cohesion?
21. EMU and the Lisbon Goals in an Enlarged European Union
22. The Governance White Paper, the Commission, and the Search for Legitimacy
PART V: ENLARGEMENT AND THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE
23. The Enlargement of the European Union: A Legal Analysis
24. Legitimacy and Accountability in the EU Enlargement: Political Perspectives from the Candidate States
25. Free Movement of Persons in the European Union: The Legal Framework
26. Managing the EU's New External Border
27. Immigration after Nice: From 'Zero Immigration' to Market Necessity
CONCLUDING REMARKS
28. National States, European Union, and Changing Dynamics in the Quest for Legitimacy
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX