The European Union, initially aimed at strengthening integration processes, is today searching for institutional solutions and regulatory criteria that would provide a differentiated approach to each of its members. In the European Union itself, the process of quantitative expansion at the expense of countries with very heterogeneous levels of development has led to increased centrifugal forces, Eurosceptic positions, nationalist and populist movements, increased immigration, as well as sharp criticism of the democratic deficit. In order to mitigate the crisis processes in the European Community, formulations of European integration «at two levels», «at two, or at different speeds» were put forward; «differentiated integration» (DI), presented in the title of the book, contains a similar meaning, as well as theoretical and pragmatic developments aimed at preventing damage to «justice and democracy». The DI principle allows individual EU members to push for closer integration in certain areas. For the remaining member states, provisional suspension or even expulsion was provided for, with the possibility of re-entry. At the same time, it was assumed that the creation of such a «multi-level» EU could also become a source of benefits, allowing some member countries to enjoy the advantages of European integration free of charge, without taking on their share of the costs. The book under review identifies the normative criteria that a DI must meet to be considered fair and democratic, and empirically examines the extent to which political parties agree with these criteria. However, the analysis of the views of members of EU political parties on the proposed normative criteria for DI was mixed. While recognizing that DI could ensure a fair distribution of the costs and benefits of European integration, survey participants were also concerned that it could lead to a rejection of solidarity between member states and even to inequality between them. This is due to procedural criteria, particularly some restrictions on voting rights in various EU bodies (Council of Europe, European Commission and European Parliament). Given the criticism, the book's authors argue that improvements to the DI model will continue as the EU continues to expand, and therefore diversify, demonstrating its ability to unite disparate parts on the basis of fairness and democracy.
flexible; two-tier; multi-speed Europe; differentiated integration; democratic deficit; justice; its regulative forms; normative criteria.