Multilevel Constitutionalism and the Crisis of Democracy in Europe

Misconception of the EU is the reason for increasing scepticism - multilevel constitutionalism: conceptualising the EU as a matter of the citizens - critiques and the defence of multilevel constitutionalism - European treaties as a form of a new supranational social contract - embedded autonomy in a system of divided sovereignty - explaining and enhancing democratic legitimacy of the EU - the legitimising principles of additionality, of voluntariness and of open democracy - taking ownership of the EU and taking subsidiarity seriously - backing the European monetary policy by new competences for a common economic and fiscal policies - engaging in European policies as a way out of the crisis. © The Authors 2015.