EU Values in Investment Law and Policy: Promises of Democracy and Rule of Law?

Is it possible that the EU premises of democracy and rule of law transform the global landscape of international investments? For realists, this is a calculated political move- an opportunity for the EU to shape the world according to the rules established in Brussels. To the most skeptical, the ambition to export these values might seem too grandiose, if not far-fetched, especially considering that the system somewhat displays these features already. Yet the more idealistic, like the author of this book, would find it fascinating, especially given the undeniable visionary component that has permeated the EU story since its beginning.

EU Values in Investment Law And Policy intends to carry this fire and continues to tell precisely that story of vision, ambition, and influence. Inspired by premises that have aspired to become promises of democracy and rule of law, the book critically examines how- and how far- these EU values extended their reach into international investment law and policy. While the book is not an ode to the EU, there is plenty that is admirable in the EU transmission efforts and is likely to leave an imprint on the investment regime’s dynamics. It is these efforts that this book unravels to explain how the international investment system deficits are turned into an opportunity for normative change.

The book seeks to establish a solid analytical foundation to unpack the EU’s evolving aspirations as a global leader in reimagining traditional investment rules. Through a careful critique of EU initiatives, it sheds light on the fine line between innovation and dogmatism, showing where the EU has genuinely (re)shaped and advanced international norms and where its bold rhetoric meets its limits.

For scholars, practitioners, and those intrigued by the intersection of law, policy, and global governance, EU Values in Investment Law and Policy offers a captivating exploration of how a visionary Europe continues to inspire change in international investment, setting the stage for a fairer and more value-driven global system.

Maria Laura Marceddu

Maria Laura Marceddu specializes in international investment law and policy, having taught and published in related areas for a decade. She is a Research Associate at the Edinburgh Center for International and Global Law (ECIGL). Previously, she was a Max Weber Fellow at the European University Institute (EUI) and a fellow at the Center of European Law at King’s College London, where she earned her PhD. She served as the youngest treasurer of the Society of International Economic Law (2018-2024). She joined the editorial board of the Journal of World Investment and Trade (2024), where she spearheads an innovative program designed to support early-career scholars in navigating the publication process.