Given the crises shattering the European Union since several years, from
the financial crisis up to the refugee crisis and the vote on Brexit,
Euro-scepticism and rejection are growing; a pending crisis of
legitimacy compels us to analyse not only causes but also the potentials
of enhancing legitimacy. This volume originates from contributions and
discussions of two conferences held by the European Constitutional Law
Network (ECLN). It reaches from foundational questions of democracy
theory, an analysis of the causes of the crises and of the role of the
judiciary in coping with the crisis, the protection of fundamental
rights of the Union citizens and their better inclusion and
participation through digitization, up to concrete reform proposals. A
dialogical epilogue of Joseph Weiler with some of the authors strives to
stimulate further discussion and reflection, as needed in the coming
years if the EU is to overcome the crises and develop further as a
democratic Union of citizens.