This book explores the question of how the EU understands the ârule of lawâ in its external relations, with a particular focus on development cooperation and enlargement. Although the EUâs commitment to the rule of law is strong, the relevant concept remains nebulous. On the basis of a detailed analysis of two key EU external policy areas, the main argument advanced is that the Union has adopted a mostly âinstitutionalâ approach to the concept by focussing largely on judicial reform. By testing the relevant practice against the background of the constitutional traditions of the Member States and legal theory, the book attests to the significance of developing a comprehensive approach to the rule of law in EU external relations.
Lisa Louwerse obtained her Ph.D. from Leiden University, where she worked as a lecturer/researcher at the Europa Institute. She is currently a senior policy advisor on EU environmental affairs at the province of South-Holland.
Preface
Abbreviations
Table of Documents
The Rule of Law in EU External Relations An Introduction
â1âIntroduction
â2âProblematique and Research Question
â3âDelineating the Research Question
â4âStructure
â5âContribution to Legal Scholarship
â6âMethodology
Part 1  1âThe Common Core of the Rule of Law The Concept in the Most Prominent Legal Systems of the EU
â1âIntroduction
â2âThe Rule of Law Adopted as a Solution to Common Problems: Restraint of Power and Preservation of Individual Liberty
â3âThe Common Underpinnings of the Rule of Law: Separation of Powers as a Means of Ensuring Judicial Independence
â4âThe Common Substance of the Rule of Law: The Element of Legality
â5âThe Common Mechanism for Safeguarding the Rule of Law: Judicial Review
â6âConclusion
2âThe Common Elements of the Rule of Law in Legal Theory
â1âIntroduction
â2âThe Purpose of the Rule of Law: Restraint of Power and the Protection of Individual Liberty
â3âThe Core Substance of the Rule of Law: Legality
â4âThe Institutional Underpinnings of the Rule of Law: Emphasis on the Legal System and Judicial Independence
â5âThe Safeguarding Mechanisms of the Rule of Law: Judicial Review and other Procedural Elements
â6âConclusion
âGeneral Conclusions to Part 1 The Analytical Framework for the Case Studies
Part 2  3âThe EUâs Conceptualisation of the Rule of Law in Its Development Cooperation Practice
â1âIntroduction
â2âThe Rule of Law and Its Relation to EU Development Cooperation: EU Policy and the Toolbox for Rule of Law Promotion
â3âRule of Law Elements in the EUâs Practice of Development Cooperation
â4âGeneral Findings
â5âConclusion
4âThe EUâs Conceptualisation of the Rule of Law in Its Enlargement Practice
â1âIntroduction
â2âThe Rule of Law and Its Relation to EU Enlargement: EU Policy and the Toolbox for Rule of Law Promotion
â3âRule of Law Elements in the EUâs Practice in Enlargement
â4âGeneral Findings
â5âConclusion
5âThe EUâs Internal Conceptualisation of the Rule of Law in the Light of the EUâs Enlargement Policy
â1âIntroduction
â2âThe EUâs Internal Rule of Law Toolbox: Rule of Law Elements Identified
â3âThe EUâs Internal Conceptualisation of the Rule of Law: Lessons Learned?
â4âConclusion
âConclusions The Influence of the Policy Area on the EUâs Conceptualisation of the Rule of Law in Its External Relations
â1âIntroduction
â2âThe EUâs Conceptualisation of the Rule of Law in Development Cooperation and Enlargement: Influences and Explanations
â3âThe Way Forward?
â4âConclusion
Bibliography
Index
This book is of interest to academics in the field of rule of law (and its promotion), to practitioners and policy-makers at the national, EU, and international level alike.