This book investigates the transformation of European Union governance through the frequent and normalized use of emergency measures. Jonathan White, a professor of politics, examines how the reliance on crisis management alters the democratic legitimacy and institutional structure of the EU. By analyzing the shift from routine legislative processes to executive-led emergency responses, the author argues that this pattern creates a permanent state of exception that undermines traditional political accountability.

Scholars in the field of European studies recognize this work as a rigorous examination of the democratic deficits inherent in crisis-driven governance. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for an audience familiar with political theory and EU institutional mechanics.