Overview

Translated by Ciaran Cronin. In the midst of the current crisis that is threatening to derail the historical project of European unification, Jürgen Habermas has been one of the most perceptive critics of the ineffectual and evasive responses to the global financial crisis, especially by the German political class. This extended essay on the constitution for Europe represents Habermas’s constructive engagement with the European project at a time when the crisis of the eurozone is threatening the very existence of the European Union. There is a growing realization that the European treaty needs to be revised in order to deal with the structural defects of monetary union, but a clear perspective for the future is missing. Drawing on his analysis of European unification as a process in which international treaties have progressively taken on features of a democratic constitution, Habermas explains why the current proposals to transform the system of European governance into one of executive federalism is a mistake. His central argument is that the European project must realize its democratic potential by evolving from an international into a cosmopolitan community. The opening essay on the role played by the concept of human dignity in the genealogy of human rights in the modern era throws further important light on the philosophical foundations of Habermas’s theory of how democratic political institutions can be extended beyond the level of nation-states. Now that the question of Europe and its future is once again at the centre of public debate, this important intervention by one of the greatest thinkers of our time will be of interest to a wide readership.

Full Product Details

Author:   Jürgen Habermas (Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt)
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Imprint:   Polity Press
Dimensions:   Width: 14.60cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 22.40cm
Weight:   0.340kg
ISBN:  

9780745662428

ISBN 10:   0745662420
Pages:   120
Publication Date:   13 April 2012
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.

Table of Contents

Preface The Crisis of the European Union in Light of a Constitutionalization of International Law - An Essay on the Constitution for Europe I. Why Europe Is Now More Than Ever a Constitutional Project II. The European Union Must Decide between Transnational Democracy and Post-Democratic Executive Federalism III. From the International to the Cosmopolitan Community The Concept of Human Dignity and the Realistic Utopia of Human Rights Appendix: The Europe of the Federal Republic I. After the Bankruptcy II. The Euro Will Decide the Fate of the European Union III. A Pact for or against Europe? Sources

Reviews

<p> One of Europe's most prominent intellectuals, a socialpolitical theorist of the highest standing. In pinpointing the lackof democratic participation, he builds a case that Europe's leaderswill sooner or later have to answer. Financial Times A trailblazer of an emerging debate in international politicaltheory. Millennium A vital injection into the public debate on the future of the EUsince it brings our attention to a central political dimension ofthis project, which seems to have been lost. It is also athought-provoking contribution to several debates inpolitical theory. European Political Science The Crisis' demand for a politicised and democratisedEurope is a welcome tonic to an event currently marked by its lackof vision. Fabian Review We should rejoice that a philosopher like Habermas is not givingup, but calling the European elite to order. He sees an opportunityin the crisis. 'With a little backbone the crisis of the singlecurrency can bring about what some once hoped for from a commonEuropean foreign policy, namely a cross-border awareness of ashared European destiny.' Global Journal One of the most famous living philosophers. Radical Philosophy <p> There is something refreshingly honest about Jurgen Habermas'stake on the European Union. Irish Times <p> For at least a generation Jurgen Habermas's work has made asignificant impact on a variety of important debates in philosophyand the social sciences. Political Studies <p> No-one articulates the 'European' ideal with greaterintellectual clarity, philosophical acumen and humanist fervourthan Jurgen Habermas. Muslim World

One of Europe's most prominent intellectuals, a social political theorist of the highest standing. In pinpointing the lack of democratic participation, he builds a case that Europe's leaders will sooner or later have to answer. Financial Times A vital injection into the public debate on the future of the EU since it brings our attention to a central political dimension of this project, which seems to have been lost. It is also a thought-provoking contribution to several debates in political theory. European Political Science The Crisis ' demand for a politicised and democratised Europe is a welcome tonic to an event currently marked by its lack of vision. Fabian Review We should rejoice that a philosopher like Habermas is not giving up, but calling the European elite to order. He sees an opportunity in the crisis. 'With a little backbone the crisis of the single currency can bring about what some once hoped for from a common European foreign policy, namely a cross-border awareness of a shared European destiny.' Global Journal One of the most famous living philosophers. Radical Philosophy There is something refreshingly honest about Jurgen Habermas's take on the European Union. Irish Times For at least a generation Jurgen Habermas's work has made a significant impact on a variety of important debates in philosophy and the social sciences. Political Studies No-one articulates the 'European' ideal with greater intellectual clarity, philosophical acumen and humanist fervour than Jurgen Habermas. Muslim World

One of Europe's most prominent intellectuals, a social political theorist of the highest standing. In pinpointing the lack of democratic participation, he builds a case that Europe's leaders will sooner or later have to answer. Financial Times One of the most famous living philosophers. Radical Philosophy There is something refreshingly honest about Jurgen Habermas's take on the European Union. Irish Times For at least a generation Jurgen Habermas's work has made a significant impact on a variety of important debates in philosophy and the social sciences. Political Studies No-one articulates the 'European' ideal with greater intellectual clarity, philosophical acumen and humanist fervour than Jurgen Habermas. Muslim World

Author Information

Jürgen Habermas is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt and one of the most influential social and political thinkers in the world today.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions