Abstract
By way of introduction to the special issue, the article’s objective is threefold. First, it conceptually re-examines the often assumed correlation between the rule of law and economy. Secondly, it situates this conceptual relationship in the present crisis-ridden context of the European Union as synthesized in the contributions to the special issue. By so doing, it demonstrates that due to the EU’s pluralist nature, the economic and rule of law crises have had very different faces and consequences in different member states. Despite that the article in conclusion nevertheless tries to identify the shared patterns of the crisis and, in the inevitable absence of a single way of improving the situation, proposes at least a common one.
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Notes
Santos (2006).
Dam (2006).
Trebilcock and Daniels (2008), p. 13: ‘The rule of law means whatever one wants it to mean. It is an empty vessel that everyone can fill up with their own vision’.
Waldron (2002).
Holovaty (2012), p. 17.
Dworkin (2004), p. 9.
Craig (1997).
Dworkin (1986).
Dworkin (2006), p. 116.
Avbelj (2015), p. 56.
Krygier (2010), p. 14.
Hart (1994).
McFall (1987).
Lisbon European Council Presidency Conclusions <http://www.europarl.europa.eu/summits/lis1_en.htm>. Accessed 11 September 2016.
Balcerowicz et al. (2013), p. 9.
European Commission (2009).
Balcerowicz, n. 16, p. 29.
Avbelj (2011).
According to the World Justice Project Italy is only ranked 30th in the world, <http://worldjusticeproject.org/rule-law-around-world>. Accessed 11 September 2016.
Zakaria (1997); J-W. Müller, ‘The Problem with “Illiberal Democracy”’, <https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-problem-with-illiberal-democracy-by-jan-werner-mueller-2016-01?barrier=true>. Accessed 11 September 2016.
T. Koncewicz, ‘Farewell to the Polish Constitutional Court’, VerfBlog, <http://verfassungsblog.de/farewell-to-the-polish-constitutional-court/>. Accessed 11 September 2016.
P. Marczewski, Poland’s Turn to the Right: On the Limits of the ‘Liberal Consensus’, Eurozine.com, <http://www.eurozine.com/articles/2016-07-25-marczewski-en.html>. Accessed 11 September 2016.
Bugarič (2015).
Krastev (2016).
Habermas (2012).
Avbelj (2016).
Müller (2014).
Marczewski, n. 23.
Weiler 2003, p. 18.
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Avbelj, M. Rule of Law and the Economic Crisis in a Pluralist European Union. Hague J Rule Law 8, 191–203 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40803-016-0033-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40803-016-0033-y