This book investigates the democratic deficit within the European Union by framing accountability as the fundamental mechanism for legitimate governance. Carol Harlow, a distinguished scholar in public law, utilizes a comparative framework to analyze how different member states interpret accountability. She argues that ensuring democratic legitimacy requires a multifaceted approach that integrates political, legal, and managerial oversight across various institutional levels.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the institutional complexities of EU governance. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of administrative law and democratic theory.