Convergence and Divergence in European Public Law

This book grew out of a symposium held in the University of Aberdeen in May 2000. It examines the extent to which the European Union has brought about and should bring about convergence of law in Europe,in particular, but not exclusively, public law in Europe. Rather than focusing narrowly on the Intergovernmental Conference process, the book engages those who wish a detached and, at times, theoretical examination of the politics of institutional reform in the EU (Michael Keating and Joanne Scott); of the legal techniques for accommodating diversity within the Union and the process of treaty making or constitution building in the EU (Deirdre Curtin, Ige Dekker, Bruno de Witte and Carole Lyons); the cross-fertilisation of administrative law concepts between the EU level and the national level (Chris Himsworth, Ton Heukels and Jamila Tib); the need for and legitimacy of a European Union competence on human rights (Gráinne de Búrca, Paul Beaumont and Niamh NicShuibhne); and whether private law and public law differ in the extent to which they go to the heart of (reflect) national culture and therefore in the extent to which they are amenable to convergence (Carol Harlow, Pierre Legrand and Neil Walker).