This is the first book in the Interdisciplinary European Studies collection. This volume provides an interdisciplinary perspective on trust in the EU from the vantage point of political science, law and economics. It applies insights from a number of different dimensions – political institutions, legal convergence in criminal and civil law, social trust, digitalization, the diffusion of political values and norms, monetary convergence and the legitimacy of political systems – to approach the highly complex issue of trust in the EU in a clear-sighted, relevant and insightful manner. Written by renowned experts in the field, the style is accessible and reader-friendly, yet concise, knowledgeable and thought-provoking. The individual chapters combine up-to-date research findings with reflections on on-going political debates and offer useful, concrete ideas on what steps the EU could take to address the challenge of trust. The book provides the reader with invaluable insights into how trust, or rather the lack of trust, poses a challenge to the future of the social, economic and political developments in the EU. It is a must-read for policy-makers, students and interested members of the public who feel concerned by the future of Europe.
Antonina Bakardjieva Engelbrekt
public trust in the EU political institutions EU law the European project political values in the EU political norms in the EU legitimacy of the EU international law attitudes towards the EU Brexit and trust in Europe Eastern enlargement of the EU social trust in the EU migration and the EU trust in the Euro European financial crisis
“This book provides a thought-provoking and timely perspective on one of the European Union’s greatest challenges. The EU builds and relies on trust; what happens when trust is questioned as a result of Brexit, the handling of international crises and the undermining of Rule of Law in certain Member States? This book presents highly relevant answers to policy-makers and scholars alike.” (Ann Linde, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and Trade)
“This timely volume adroitly focuses our attention on the issue of trust in the European Union. Its well-judged collection of contributions from different disciplines helps us to reach a nuanced understanding of the conditions in which trustworthiness can be earned and sustained in a period of political contestation.” (Professor Dame Helen Wallace, Fellow of the British Academy, UK)