Thoughts from a Bridge: A Retrospective of Writings on New Europe and American Federalism

European integration proceeds apace, most recently with the introduction of the Euro in most of the countries of the European Community. Yet many of the same problems have troubled this group since its inception, problems foreshadowed in many ways by the American debates over the nature of our own federation. Eric Stein began the scholarly study of the developing law of the European Community almost at the time of its birth. His thoughts on various problems with integration in Europe demonstrate remarkable prescience and remain important contributions to the ongoing debates and discussions. Viewing European integration both from the perspective of the American experience with federalism and the personal experience of a Europe torn apart by war, Stein offers a unique understanding of the forces propelling and restraining European union. The essays collected in this volume deal with the development of a harmonized set of laws, the comparative study of law, the development of a common European foreign policy, the role of courts in the European Community, and the dissolution of the Czech and Slovak federation, among other topics.

These essays are essential reading for all scholars interested in studying the European Community, the development of law, and advantages and pitfalls of the development of federal systems.

Eric Stein is Hessel E. Yntema Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Michigan Law School and is the author of Czecho/Slovakia: Ethnic Conflict, Constitutional Fissure, Negotiated Breakup.