Christian Joerges

In this important compendium, one of the leading scholars of EU law and its legal framework, reflects on his previous writings in the context of current challenges the European project is facing. More than a simple restatement, it offers an important theoretical comment at this defining time for EU law. The author offers a welcome counterbalance to what some perceive to be a surfeit of optimism when assessing the EU and its development. In so doing, Professor Joerges identifies three flaws in the current European ideology. Firstly, he points to the intellectual weakness of the “integration through law” ideology. Secondly, the book sets out the systematic neglect of “the economic” and its political dynamics. Finally, it addresses the complacency with respect to Europe’s darker legacies. This is an important critical (and candid) assessment of Europe at its half century.

In this important compendium, one of the leading scholars of EU law and its legal framework, reflects on his previous writings in the context of current challenges the European project is facing. More than a simple restatement, it offers an important theoretical comment at this defining time for EU law. The author offers a welcome counterbalance to what some perceive to be a surfeit of optimism when assessing the EU and its development. In so doing, Professor Joerges identifies three flaws in the current European ideology. Firstly, he points to the intellectual weakness of the “integration through law” ideology. Secondly, the book sets out the systematic neglect of “the economic” and its political dynamics. Finally, it addresses the complacency with respect to Europe’s darker legacies. This is an important critical (and candid) assessment of Europe at its half century.

Die Kommission der Europaischen Gemeinschaften bereitet derzeit eine GruppenfreistellungsVO zu den Vetriebs- und Kundendienstvereinbarungen uber Kraftfahrzeuge vor. Die Bestimmungen uber Vertriebsbindungen fur Ersatzteile gehoren zu den umstrittensten Vorschriften des Entwurfs. Die im Auftrag der Kommission (GD XI) entstandene Studie beschreibt die Marktverhaltnisse beim Ersatzteilvertrieb, analysiert die Entwicklung der europaischen Wettbewerbspolitik gegenuber selektiven Vertriebssystemen, die einschlagige Entscheidungspraxis in der Bundesrepublik, Frankreich, Grossbritannien, den USA und setzt sich dabei mit der wettbewerbs- und verbraucherpolitischen Grundlagendiskussion zu vertikalen Wettbewerbsbeschrankungen auseinander. Auf dieser Grundlage nimmt sie zu den Regelungen der geplanten Verordnung Stellung."