Werte im Unionsrecht

Article 2 TEU is the European Union’s normative point of departure — but what is the legal meaning of its concept of values? This study examines the origins, meaning, and function of the Union’s values, thereby providing a basis for their interpretation in scholarship and practice. It offers a comprehensive analysis of Article 2 TEU, taking account of its historical development and systematic context. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between the current concept of values and the earlier terminology of 'principles'. The study identifies continuities and differences and clarifies the legal and extra-legal scope of the values enumerated in Article 2 TEU.