As Europe moves towards economic and political unification, many wonder why legal unification makes so little headway. In this concise but wide-ranging book, R. C. van Caenegem considers the historical reasons behind this legal diversity. He stresses the importance of the adoption on the Continent - but not in England - of the classical law of the Romans, and shows how the rise of the nation states led to a multitude of national codes of law. The impact of politics on legal development is another key factor, and as a graphic example van Caenegem provides a detailed account of how the German past was extolled in Nazi Germany. The book concludes with a consideration of the ongoing debate on the desirability - indeed, on the possibility - of European legal unification and of a federal constitution for a united Europe.

R. C. van Caenegem considers the historical reasons behind European legal diversity.
Reviews
'... a valuable discussion of the role of law (along with lawyers and courts) in the development of a 'federal' Europe.' Contemporary Review
'For anyone interested in the ... legal past and the possibility of a common European law of the future, this book is an ideal starting point ... extremely well written ...' Political Studies
'This book takes the reader along a brisk, pleasant stroll down well-trodden paths - filled as they usually are with familiar turns and the occasional, unexpected gem.' Legal History



Book Information
ISBN 9780521809382
Author R. C. van van Caenegem
Format Hardback
Page Count 184
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 360g
Dimensions(mm) 224mm * 143mm * 18mm