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Ideology, constitutional culture and institutional change: the EU constitution as reflection of Europe’s emergent postmodernism

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  • Nikolay Wenzel

    (Hillsdale College)

Abstract

Using the example of the European Constitution, this paper argues that ideology plays a much more important role in institutional change than has been indicated hitherto in the literature. Rather than being an intellectual parlor-game, Postmodernism has emerged through European high culture to find its voice in the new Constitution. Although it was rejected by a critical mass of voters, the proposed Constitution offers a telling glimpse into the European intellectual mindset – especially since politicians are now bruiting the possibility of ratifying the constitution via compliant legislatures rather than fickle referenda. Anomalies in the document are better explained by the post-World War Two emergence of postmodern philosophy in Europe than by more traditional explanations from political economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Nikolay Wenzel, 2007. "Ideology, constitutional culture and institutional change: the EU constitution as reflection of Europe’s emergent postmodernism," Romanian Economic Business Review, Romanian-American University, vol. 2(3), pages 25-47, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:rau:journl:v:2:y:2007:i:3:p:25-47
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wenzel Nikolai G., 2016. "Descartes, Rousseau, de Gaulle: France’s Constitutional Waltz of Plebiscitarian Caesarism," Journal des Economistes et des Etudes Humaines, De Gruyter, vol. 22(2), pages 191-211, December.

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