This work investigates the legitimacy and democratic deficit inherent in the institutional structure of the European Union. Erik Oddvar Eriksen, a prominent scholar in political theory and European integration, examines how the EU functions as a supranational entity while attempting to maintain democratic accountability. The text provides a rigorous framework for assessing whether the EU's decision-making processes align with traditional democratic principles or if they necessitate a new model of post-national governance.

Scholars frequently cite this text as a foundational contribution to the debate surrounding the political legitimacy of the European Union. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for students and researchers of political theory and European law.