Harmonization of Legislation in Federal Systems

Unity or variety of legislations in the European Union – this is the question which is likely to become the key issue in the discussion on the future European constitution. Is there anything the two federal systems, the USA and the EU may learn from each-other in this regard notwithstanding the existing differences?
The contributions give numerous valuable insights, starting with the basic question of comparability of the two federal systems, dealing with the significance and possible structural safeguards for subsidiarity in each constitution and looking at the limits of harmonization in environmental, labour and corporate law.
The first volume of the "Series on European Constitutional Law" addresses all lawyers and politicians interested in the construction of the EU as an enduring federal system. But also those who participate in the actual debate on federalism in the USA will draw useful ideas and arguments from the analysis here published.