This volume investigates the fundamental tension between the operational independence of non-majoritarian European Union institutions and the democratic legitimacy required for their accountability. Dominique Ritleng, a scholar of European law, compiles a series of expert essays that examine the growing political influence of bodies such as the European Commission, the Court of Justice, and the European Central Bank. The work provides a rigorous framework for assessing how these entities can remain autonomous while adhering to the democratic mandates of the EU's institutional system.

Legal scholars and political scientists frequently cite this collection as a foundational text for understanding the complexities of EU institutional design. Experts highlight the academic rigor of the contributions, noting that the text serves as a primary resource for those studying the intersection of administrative law and democratic theory.