The Politics of Ratification of EU Treaties (Routledge Advances in European Politics)

Since its inception, the European Union (EU) has revised its foundational treaties several times, resulting in national ratification processes involving different actors, with varying success. This book focuses on the politics of ratification of EU Treaties and reviews the processes of ratification of EU primary legislation. Existing research and academic debate on EU constitutional politics have almost exclusively focussed on negotiation of new treaties and their institutional setting. However, this book explains how the result of ratification was achieved, and analyses the strategy that actors pursue across Europe. Ratification of the Treaty of Maastricht and the EU Constitution failed totally, whilst other ratification can be considered partial failures such as the Irish Nice and Lisbon referendums. As the EU Constitution has proved, the ratification process may have deep effects unforeseen during the processes of negotiation. In recent years, ratification has produced some of the most intense debates on national membership of the EU and the EU itself. The Politics of Ratification of EU Treaties will be of interest to students and researchers of European Studies, European Union studies, European Union Law and European Union Politics. Since Its Inception, The European Union (eu) Has Revised Its Foundational Treaties Several Times, Resulting In National Ratification Processes Involving Different Actors, With Varying Success. This Book Focuses On The Politics Of Ratification Of Eu Treaties And Reviews The Processes Of Ratification Of Eu Primary Legislation. Existing Research And Academic Debate On Eu Constitutional Politics Have Almost Exclusively Focused On Negotiation Of New Treaties And Their Institutional Setting. However, This Book Explains How The Result Of Ratification Was Achieved, And Analyses The Strategy That Actors Pursue Across Europe. Ratification Of The Treaty Of Maastricht And The Eu Constitution Failed Totally, While Other Ratifications Can Be Considered Partial Failures Such As The Irish Nice And Lisbon Referendums. As The Eu Constitution Has Proved, The Ratification Process May Have Deep Effects, Which Are Unforeseen During The Processes Of Negotiation. In Recent Years, Ratification Has Produced Some Of The Most Intense Debates On National Membership Of The Eu And The Eu Itself--page I. Introduction. A Neglected Stage In Eu Constitutional Politics -- Eu Ratification Rules : Origin And Permanence -- Procedures And Actors In Ratification : Who Participates And How -- Referendums On Ratifications : Why Convene Them? -- Successful Ratifications (1951-2009) : Political Strategies At Work -- Successful Ratifications With Partial Defection : Maastricht, Nice And Lisbon (strategies For Bringing Laggards Back In) -- Ratification Failures : The Edc (1954) And The Eu Constitution (2005) -- Conclusion. The Politics Of Ratification Under Unanimity. Carlos Closa. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 185-200) And Index.