Habermas and European Integration (second edition): Social and cultural modernity beyond the nation-state

German philosopher Jürgen Habermas has written extensively on the European Union. This is the only in-depth account of his project. Published now in a second edition to coincide with the celebration of his ninetieth birthday, a new preface considers Habermas’s writings on the eurozone and refugee crises, populism and Brexit, and the presidency of Emmanuel Macron.Placing an emphasis on the conception of the EU that informs Habermas’s political prescriptions, the book is divided into two main parts. The first considers the unfolding of 'social modernity' at the level of the EU. Among the subjects covered are Habermas's concept of juridification, the latter's affinities with integration theories such as neofunctionalism, and the application of Habermas's democratic theory to the EU. The second part addresses 'cultural modernity' in Europe – 'Europessimism' is argued to be a subset of the broader cultural pessimism that assailed the project of modernity in the late twentieth century, and with renewed intensity in the years since 9/11.Interdisciplinary in approach, this book engages with European/EU studies, critical theory, political theory, international relations, intellectual history, comparative literature, and philosophy. Concise and clearly written, it will be of interest to students, scholars and professionals with an interest in these disciplines, as well as to a broader readership concerned with the future of Europe German philosopher Jürgen Habermas has written extensively on the European Union. This is the only in-depth account of his project. Published now in paperback to coincide with the celebration of his ninetieth birthday, a new preface considers Habermas's writings on the eurozone and refugee crises, populism and Brexit, and the presidency of Emmanuel Macron. Placing an emphasis on the conception of the EU that informs Habermas's political prescriptions, the book is divided into two main parts. The first considers the unfolding of'social modernity'at the level of the EU. Among the subjects covered are Habermas's concept of juridification, the latter's affinities with integration theories such as neofunctionalism, and the application of Habermas's democratic theory to the EU. The second part addresses'cultural modernity'in Europe –'Europessimism'is argued to be a subset of the broader cultural pessimism that assailed the project of modernity in the late twentieth century, and with renewed intensity in the years since 9/11. Front matter Contents Figures and tables Preface and acknowledgements Preface to the second edition Abbreviations Introduction: Modernity, welfare state and EUtopia Part I Social modernity Habermas on European integration Metatheory Integration theory Democratic theory Part II Cultural modernity Rationalisation Neoconservatism Cartographies of disenchantment Part III Empirical research The conceptual landscape of the Constitutional Convention Conclusion: An unfinished project? Afterword Appendix: The writers of social science References Index This concise yet comprehensive book delineates German philosopher Jurgen Habermas's conception of the European Union. -- . This concise yet comprehensive book delineates German philosopher Jürgen Habermas’s conception of the European Union.