What does the future hold for the European Union, those seeking to join, and their neighbors? There are several alternative visions which have generated heated debates. For example, should the EU focus on widening or deepening, or give more flexibility/differentiation in the integration process? These disagreements came also to the forefront in the effort to create a constitution for the European Union and the subsequent still ongoing controversial ratification process.

Learning Objectives

  1. Learn here about the European Constitution.
  2. Identify the common vision that the member states could agree on. Find out what the most difficult issues where for the member states to negotiate.
  3. Find out about the ratification process.
  4. You will be able to examine critically the perspectives of EU skeptics and identify reasons for both euro- optimism and euro pessimism.

Study Guide

  1. Learn about the preparation, outcomes, and the most recent developments in the process of creating the European Constitution.
  2. Review the original documents/debates of the European Convention which lead to the European Constitution.
  3. How do the member states view the Constitution? Use BBC interactive site EU Constitution: Where the Member States Stand.
  4. Learn about scholarly debates around the Constitution.