The Global Reach of EU Law

Book excerpt: The EU strives to be a leading rule-making organisation with global reach in both economic and non-economic fields. But how should we understand the science behind this? This book focuses upon unpacking the uncertainty, the form and directions of the global reach of EU law, as a distinctive form of post-national rule-making. The work examines two central themes: the conceptual development of the global reach and effects of EU law; and the methodology of EU rule-making processes. It considers what specific impact and effects the EU’s rules are having, and its approach to global reach. The book studies the EU’s Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ) as a case of a non-economic field offering examples of ways and means in which the global reach of EU law can manifest itself in an evolving and sensitive field. Using this casestudy, the book develops a sharper focus upon the ‘internal’ and ‘external’ elements of EU law which make up our understanding of the global reach of EU law and develops further why global reach is important as a scientific phenomenon. The book will be a valuable resource for researchers and students in the areas of EU law, global governance and the study of law beyond the nation state.