Lidská práva v Evropské unii – Smekal Hubert (2009)

The publication primarily aims to theoretically describe whether, and if so how, the influence of supranational levels of government gradually permeates the traditional sphere of interest of nation-states – the regulation and implementation of human rights issues. How does a supranational authority fit into the state monopoly on decision-making regarding entities within the state's jurisdiction? How is it possible that an organization originally focused mainly on economic matters evolves into an entity striving for its own legally binding catalog of fundamental rights after fifty years? And especially – what actors are behind this shift? The work presents current theories of European integration that should better explain the integration process. The publication does not focus directly on the application of theories but attempts to offer its own generalizing framework for explaining the ongoing expansion of the European Union's scope. Specifically, it tries to provide an explanation for the entire process of incorporating human rights issues into the European Union's jurisdiction.