The EU is a rules-based government. This may sound like the rule of law, implying transparency and impartiality. In fact, the EU's rule-making process is anything but transparent. The rules that emerge are often too detailed, too rigid, and inappropriate to changing circumstances. But the real problem lies in the idea that social, economic and political reality can be mastered by general norms.
Life is too complex and changeable to be governed by fixed rules.
The Maastricht treaty, for example, detailed the conditions to be met and timetable to be followed in introducing a single currency. Few foresaw then that Europe would suffer a prolonged period of high unemployment. Reducing government spending, as Maastricht demanded, is not the right policy in a recession. Admittedly, Europe's economies need to make structural adjustments, but emphasising reduced budget deficits probably prolonged the recession. The flaws of Maastricht epitomise the belief that all problems can be managed if you enact enough rules.