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Book ReviewsSteyger, Elies. Europe and its Members. A Constitutional Approach.
Aldershot, UK/Brookfield, USA: Dartmouth Publishing Company, 1995. Pp. xi.
145. Index. $59.95. Europe and its Members: A Constitutional Approach has a most
tantalizing set of chapter titles: The F Word; Grabbing for Power; Drawing the
Battle Lines; Nailing the Caskets and Destiny Unknown. But behind most of them
is a rather straightforward, often thin, legalistic description of the most
well known elements of the Community legal order which have over the years been
characterized as "constitutional" - direct effect, supremacy, the question of
competences (a good chapter!) et cetera. Given its ambitions, the book is
woefully under-researched, shorn of theory and evidently oblivious to a rich
and growing literature which understands constitutionalism in its broad
political, social and economic context. Even the finest baker must allow his
dough to rise. The author was in too great a rush to print what should have
been a longer project of research and" reflection. It is a pity because the
mind behind this text is most creative and original as evidenced by, e.g., some
soaring passages on the State, peoplehood, history and culture in the final
chapter. It is always a pity to witness wasted talent. JHHW
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