The Lisbon Treaty 10 years on: Success or Failure?
On 1 December 2009, the Lisbon Treaty entered into force, aiming at making the EU more democratic, more transparent and more efficient. In this volume, four scholars discuss whether the Treaty has strengthened the EU during the past decade, a period marked by several crises for the European Union. With contributions from Luuk van Middelaar, R. Daniel Kelemen, Anne Thies and Eleanor Spaventa. (2019:2op)
A decade after its entry into force, it is now time to look back and evaluate the Treaty that aimed to make the EU more democratic, more transparent and more efficient. Has the Lisbon Treaty been a success for the European Union? Has it been an effective tool to meet the political needs and challenges?
In this anthology, four scholars analyse the institutional and constitutional changes that the Lisbon Treaty has brought.
- Luuk van Middelaar analyses the Lisbon Treaty in light of the crises that have plagued the Union in the last decade. In his view, the Lisbon Treaty is largely a success.
- R. Daniel Kelemen discusses democracy and efficiency. According to Kelemen, the Lisbon Treaty has failed in its promise to make the EU more democratic and efficient: too much focus has been placed upon the EU’s so called democratic deficit, and not on democracy problems in the Member States.
- Anne Thies focuses on EU external relations law. She finds that from a legal perspective, the Lisbon Treaty has strengthened the EU as a global actor.
- Eleanor Spaventa discusses the implementation of EU fundamental rights since the Lisbon Treaty. She argues that several problem areas remain, and when it comes to the rule of law, that the Treaty is a missed opportunity.
The aim of this volume is to provide new perspectives and insights on the Lisbon Treaty and its application, the challenges facing the EU, and the future of the EU as a whole.