is the european union democratic

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Is the European Union democratic? The European Union is often subject to criticism of its operations. The European Union was not attracting sufficiently the Europeans residents and is now perceived by many as undemocratic, as well as evidenced by the rise of the so-called political formations "euro-skeptic" within the European area. The European elections are often synonymous with lack of Europeans voters who "avoid" more these elections compared to their national elections. Indeed, the European Union is seen by many as a supranational organization not sufficiently taking into account the particularities of regional or local, imposing "its" own vision to the nations and removing them from their prerogatives... In sum, it is perceived as an entity "apart", independent and with little connection with the daily life of the citizens of the EU or the inverse, as a democratic organization. In February 2000, the text adopted at the Conference of the representatives of the Governments of the member-states notes itself that it « recognizes the need to improve and ensure the democratic

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What is happening in the EU?

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Page 1: Is the European Union Democratic

Is the European Union democratic?

The European Union is often subject to criticism of its operations. The European

Union was not attracting sufficiently the Europeans residents and is now perceived by many

as undemocratic, as well as evidenced by the rise of the so-called political formations "euro-

skeptic" within the European area. The European elections are often synonymous with lack of

Europeans voters who "avoid" more these elections compared to their national elections.

Indeed, the European Union is seen by many as a supranational organization not

sufficiently taking into account the particularities of regional or local, imposing "its" own

vision to the nations and removing them from their prerogatives...

In sum, it is perceived as an entity "apart", independent and with little connection with

the daily life of the citizens of the EU or the inverse, as a democratic organization. In

February 2000, the text adopted at the Conference of the representatives of the Governments

of the member-states notes itself that it « recognizes the need to improve and ensure the

democratic legitimacy and transparency of the Union and its institutions, in order to bring

closer the Union to the citizens of the member-states ».

The question is therefore whether or not the European Union functions democratically

and determine first and foremost comes the sense of lack of democracy within the EU. To

meet this thesis, we agree in advance to analyze from where comes the lack of interest of

Europeans for the European Union, based initially in the feeling of an EU that would be

undemocratic or at least not enough. It will also be important to analyze to what extent this

feeling, associated with a certain de-politicization, and could make the bed of populism,

political method currently breaking on the countries of the EU. Then we move on to the actual

topic and try to analyze and interpret the process of decision-making within the EU. The

question of the role of the European Parliament compared to other European institutions

where members are not directly elected by the people must also be addressed, as well as the

Page 2: Is the European Union Democratic

question of the specific role of the European political parties. The end of the analysis shall,

after evaluation of the democratic nature of the institutions of the European Union, to develop

lines of thought for the improvement of this democratic character in order to make the closest

Europeans of the organization which is yet a fundamental place in their political life overall.

I. The lack of interest or an opposition to the European project

The reasons for lack of interest

The conclusion is obvious: the majority of European citizens are not familiar with the

functioning of the EU and its institutions in large part because the life of the European

Parliament and the other institutions y related are not interested.

The first reason is not actually within the competence of the European institutions,

their function or their decision making, since it's the impact of national debates on the process

of the elections. This effect exists mainly because of the Organization of the elections for the

European Parliament. In fact, the organization on a national basis is not really explained to

citizens in order to properly understand the European issues. Often these elections are subject

to recovery by the politicians of the different countries of the EU who use it as a forum to

discuss national and even regional or local, sometimes even without links with the European

Union. Thus, certain European elections are actually a “test” for the majority in place who

will often find themselves in bad posture during a "vote sanction." Given this recurring assent

of the majority in these votes, the ruling parties were once in an urge, in order to mobilize

voters and to advertise for the elections of the European Parliament. In addition, it also

happens that other national elections take place in the same time as the European elections,

shadowing them de facto. This is particularly in the case of Belgium: the European elections

held on the same date as the regional elections. (Rozenberg, 2009)

Page 3: Is the European Union Democratic

Then, the debates in the European Parliament appear overall less attractive than the

national debates, not on the form. This is due to the different languages used in this

Parliament, therefore requiring a translation work important and bearing de facto the prejudice

to the liveliness of the exchanges between members, removing the “spectacular” aspect that

exists in the national Chambers. (Rozenberg, 2009)

The activity of MEPs also suffers from a lack of visibility on the part of the media.

This lack of media impact undoubtedly played against the MEPs and European instances seen

therefore as "remote" of citizens. This feeling is enhanced by the absence of strong divisions

between the different groups. There are indeed not really clear and clear-cut distinctions

between groups (left hand right...). However, this indifference nonetheless, allowing MEPs to

be more 'independent' towards their national constraints and can, therefore, be more in tune

with the logics of functioning of the EU and its institutions. (Schmidt, 2007)

Finally, the European agenda is not often modeled across different national priorities,

while strengthening the feeling of indifference among the European population. (Rozenberg,

2009)

Anti-democratic sentiment, de-politicization and populism

The growing disinterest of many Europeans for the EU project usually results in a form of

rejection or fear towards it. This is what the British political journalists of the 1980s were

translating and as still used today a form of "Euro-skepticism", a term which meant that the

basic conservative members disagreed with the policy of their party. Today, we see arising

everywhere in Europe, political groups designating themselves as Euro-skeptics, making the

rejection of the European Union their iron lance. The majority of these formations come from

conservative or radical right opposed to a European project perceived as "globalist" and

crushing cultures and national sovereignty (or even regional or local), then a minority comes

Page 4: Is the European Union Democratic

from the extreme left, which sees the EU as an ultraliberal instrument and head of bridge of

the advance of capitalism in Europe, social destroyer. According to Yves Surel, professor of

political science at the University of Paris II, there are in fact two forms of Euro-skepticism: a

hard form that rejects the outset of the European integration project (it is often extreme-right

wing parties) and a softer form criticizing only certain forms or political embodiments.

(Bouillaud, 2011) (Surel, 2011)

This growing disinterest brings a de-politicization of the Europeans citizens who made

the cradle of movements known as "populists". The populism, technical (and not ideology)

policy based on withdrawal and the formulation of simplistic solutions to often complex

problems, so take this lack of interest in European issues to castigate a Europe perceived as a

set of distant technocrats from the popular concerns. It is then interesting to ask the question

whether this populism emanates directly from the rejection of the European project or

whether, instead, how works the EU does not directly support populism access. Clearly the

supposed absence of democracy (or democratic control) and transparency of the EU

institutions is so important to create a vast movement of self-absorption and opposition to the

project itself? (Nivet, 2011)

What is the real amount of democracy in the EU?

Decision-making process of the EU

In order to well understand the real level of democracy that exists in the EU, we firstly

recall briefly and simply the classic decision-making process of the EU. The European

institution with which begins the legislative process is the European Commission. It is indeed

the EC who has the burden to issue the bills. The European Parliament and the Council of the

EU are the two European bodies that support the legislative process at the level of the

endorsement of the different bills submitted by the European Commission. The European

Page 5: Is the European Union Democratic

Parliament contains deputies elected by universal direct suffrage of different political

tendencies grouped within political European parties, representing each European state based

on its size. The EU Council is the representative body of national Governments and

participates in the publication of laws. In most cases, it takes the co-decision and between the

two it is the prevailing one. (Lagasse, 2010)

If the institutions of the European Union have the majority of the legislature, member-

states however have their own role regarding the issues of common security, relations with the

outside and social policy. This is then an intergovernmental decision taken unanimously by all

national governments of the EU member countries. This intergovernmental decision-making

is also visible in the joint management of the economic crisis of the “euro zone”'. (Lagasse,

2010)

At the executive level these are the European Council and the European Commission

which are in charge. Clearly, the European Council delegates to the Commission the

Executive. Indeed, since the single act, the European Council thus directly took part in the

execution of the laws passed by the Parliament and the Council of the EU but he delegated

these powers to the European Commission. In order to function effectively, the Commission

has an administration and specific assistances, which also rely on national institutions

responsible for implementing the European directives. The European Commission members

are chosen by the President of the Commission based on their skills and not their belonging to

some political family. However, the President is designated by the European Council on

“political color”. This means that it must automatically belong to the political family the most

represented in the European Parliament, which must approve before the designation is made

by the European Council. European Council, an additional executive power to the

Commission therefore, is constituted of the President of the Commission and heads of States

Page 6: Is the European Union Democratic

and Governments of the 27 countries of the Union. No member of the European Executive is

in fact directly elected by a popular consultation or election. (Lagasse, 2010)

Finally, the EU has a judicial body: the European Court of Justice, which is assisted by

its court. Its members must have previously been lawyers or judges in their respective

countries before to reside there as law “officers”. Its role is not only to ensure the proper

application and compliance with the standards European but also receive complaints of a state

member of the EU, the Commission or any citizen or association of citizens. It can also

receive notices of national courts. (Lagasse, 2010)

The EU has therefore, as well the Parliament elected by the European people,

associated to the EU Council that guarantees a representation of national interests. However,

the European Commission, both legislative and executive body, has no members elected by

universal suffrage, although its president has to belong to the family policy the most

represented.

European political parties

The European political parties have an important role to play in the exercise of

democracy in the EU. However, this role is limited by the national constraints that these

parties are also endorsing. Indeed, all too often, these are national themes which are carried by

these parties is yet wanting “European”. In reality, practical way, European political parties

are based more on a conglomeration of national parties than on a real organization that ties

within Europe have become national parties then of simple "branches" or national divisions of

the “European head”. (Bendjaballah, 2009)

Two major elements will however increase the power of the European political

groups: the European Constitutional Treaty and the Lisbon Treaty. These two documents

place greater emphasis on the role of European political parties, notably through the

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organization of the reflection about the perfection of representative democracy within the EU

and their participation in the strengthening of the role of the European Parliament.

This manifest emphasis of the role of European political parties is therefore a significant

democratic advance. Indeed, as pointed out by several Europeans scholars in a study on

democracy within the EU: "no modern society cannot claim to representative democracy

without having a structure of political parties in order to assimilate and channel the subtle

political preferences of millions of voters in a given political system". (INSTITUT FUR

EUROPAISCHE POLITIK, NOTRE EUROPE and THE FEDERAL TRUST, 2009)

The power of the European Parliament

After taking account of democratic lack within the EU institutions, the various

European treaties signed since the Single Act will each time in the sense of a widening of the

powers of the European Parliament. However this democratization via the European

Parliament has been vulnerable, somewhat contradictorily, by popular referendum such as the

French and Dutch in 2005, who have both led to the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty

European while the latter expanded further the powers of the European Parliament.

(Rozenberg, 2009) (Verluise, 2004)

In fact, the European Parliament has passed from a body which was almost exclusively

advisory in 1957 to a legislative body very similar to national legislators. Its major difference

however lies in its inability to create laws and the remaining task in law creation devolved to

the European Commission. However, given the logic of “cooperation”, or even “co-decision”,

that exists with the European Council, he is now involved in the development of legal norms,

in the recommendations to the States members of the EU, in some international agreements...

(INSTITUT FUR EUROPAISCHE POLITIK, NOTRE EUROPE and THE FEDERAL

TRUST, 2009)

Page 8: Is the European Union Democratic

Moreover, the Parliament can now ask for a direct way of information about the

activities of the Commission and indirectly. It also has the possibility to be involved

throughout the process for the preparation of the budget, while it did have a purely advisory

role in the beginning. Finally, the European Parliament also participates in the designation of

the members of the European Commission. (INSTITUT FUR EUROPAISCHE POLITIK,

NOTRE EUROPE and THE FEDERAL TRUST, 2009)

The adoption of the Lisbon Treaty reinforces considerably the role of the European

Parliament on two major axes. First of all, it works now as a form of "political control" on the

European Commission, with which it now takes joint decisions in legislative matters. Then, it

requires the European Commission to take account of the results of national elections to

choose the President of the European Commission, although the President is not directly

chosen by Parliament. (Simon Hix and Sara Hageman, 2009)

The new reform package regarding the European Parliament proves that there is a real

willingness to democratization of the institutions at the European level, a real will for the

democratization of the institutions.

III. Democratic Europe

The European Union appears in fact as a system of representative democracy at a

supranational level with a complex governance system. It is mainly this complexity,

combined with a lack of visibility, which creates the anti-democratic feeling. However, this

overall knowledge of the European institutions by the citizens of the countries that makes up

is solely responsible for this feeling. Stating also that much progress have been made to refine

this democracy, including by granting more powers to the European Parliament. There was

therefore a real taking of conscience from the part of the "Eurocrats" in the importance of

“democratization” of Europe. In addition, the EU also has representative bodies of national

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interests at the legislative and executive levels: the European Union Council and the European

Council. At the judicial level, there is also the capability to control the European institutions

and punishing them if they exceed their powers. Vivien Schmidt, Professor at Boston

University, noted in 2007 about the functioning of the EU "with a shared sovereignty, varying

boundaries, a composite identity, and complex governance, it is clear that one cannot expect

the Union to be a democracy of the same type as that of a nation-State. The European

supranational democracy is very different from the national democracy: “It appears

fragmented [...] because in fact, at the level of the EU, the mechanisms of legitimation are

shared between the supranational and national levels”. (Schmidt, 2007)

European democracy appears as special and complex; noting that it has a significant

impact on the democratic functioning of states which form part. Indeed, the disappearance of

public policy of the national sphere and the absence of direct decision-making on European

decisions leads inevitably to a de-politicization at national level. As a result also, given some

form of dissatisfaction with the EU, a rejection of national political elites in some European

citizens. However, the European Union also had positive effects on democracy and individual

freedoms and human rights in the states that compose the union. As such, good number of

former candidates, which today have become members of the EU, had to meet certain

conditions which have raised their level of democracy.

The European Union and its institutions therefore have a democratic functioning

although this European supranational democracy is still imperfect. In fact, it lacks a direct link

to its electorate because there is no real electoral political system at European level.

A European democracy to perfect or a communication to restore

We can conclude by saying that it will actually suffice a better communication or more

information on the part of the EU to reconcile European citizens with its institutions.

Page 10: Is the European Union Democratic

However, it is clear that a better understanding of the EU, its institutions, its powers, its

decision-making process and its project would greatly help the European citizens to bring

them closer to the European Union. To do this, better information for European political life

must be enabled, either through traditional media (radio, television and print media) or

through new technologies (blogging, internet etc.). It is first and foremost the responsibility of

national politicians who must explain what their elected representatives are doing in Brussels

and European elected representatives which must intervene more often for the same purpose.

A way of approach is also by developing the proximity of the European Journalism, which

means to help journalists make connections between what is happening in the EU-institutions

and local situations. Make public the European political debate would go also in this sense.

Other more "participatory" initiatives may also be undertaken: establishment of "education for

Europe" courses in the schools of the countries of the EU, ensure better visibility to major

European events...

If the communication of Europe is perhaps to review, this improvement will however

provide no response as to the feeling of a lack of democracy Europe. It's also dishonest to

treat the problem as only pedagogy because the lack of democracy within the EU is one of its

main concerns since the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992. This is therefore not giving reason to

the populists in simplistic solutions and folds identity they offer but to respond effectively to

the issues that they rise precisely. In fact the solution is to fill this “gap”, between the places

where the European decisions are taken and the places where they are applied.

This “gap” can be filled only by a significant increase of democracy within the EU.

The best vector in this matter is the European Parliament which should be increasing the

prerogatives. With regard to referendums for ratifications of the European treaties, like those

that took place in the Netherlands or France, should let some countries organize because they

increase the risk of being rejected in the popular consultation, not because of the treaties

Page 11: Is the European Union Democratic

themselves but because of the national situation had little to do with the European Union. It is

however not to reject the referendums, the ideal being put in place in the future referendum

unique Europe-wide, followed by then ratification by Member States. The EU would

therefore gain in transparency, clarity, efficiency, but also in a democracy. Also situations

local "overflowing" on the institutions of the EU, it should be noted the urgency of European

programs defined for national and European political parties. EU must also work for the

establishment of political parties which are truly trans-European. In the future, EU should put

an end to the monopoly of the national parties on the European election because the

derivatives described at the beginning of this analysis. These trans-European parties should

become a privileged place of reflection between national parties to set an ideal and a

European program clear, to relay popular aspirations to European policies.

The case of the European Commission is actually trickier. Its effectiveness depends on

its degree of politicization. A more "politicized" Commission risk - not to be at the expense of

the powers of the Commissioners? Similarly, will the election of the President of the

Commission by the European political parties not to add to the ambient complexity?

In reality, many accusations against the EU deliberately play map of criticism by

lending powers it has not. It is therefore a fear of imposed change “from the outside” that

irritates a significant part of the Europeans. However, it becomes increasingly important that

the EU reaffirms its project and comes closer to the people who perceive it as “too remote”

from the real concerns of the peoples.

Facing these democratic shortcomings, it is becoming increasingly urgent that the

European Union becomes aware of the challenges that lie ahead. In the future, it will have to

reconsider his project as a truly political project. More great democratic advances can bridge

the gap between the EU institutions, their lives and their operation, and the European citizen.

It is only in this way that Europe can assert itself as a supranational democracy respectful of

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national, regional or local particularities, complete and that it will then cut the grass under the

feet of the populist political parties. This democratization will, finally, make more easily

acceptable political unions between States, particularly in the current case of controls of the

budgetary and socio-economic policies following the crisis. No political union is possible

without prior democratic union.

Bibliography

Bendjaballah, S. (2009). Politisation du Parlement Européen et. Politique européenne, pp. 103-127.

Bouillaud, C. (2011). L’euroscepticisme n’est-il qu’un mot ? Politique européenne, pp. 243-254.

INSTITUT FUR EUROPAISCHE POLITIK, NOTRE EUROPE and THE FEDERAL TRUST.

(2009). La démocratie au sein de l’UE et le rôle du Parlement européen.

Lagasse, C.-E. (2010). Les institutions européennes après le traité de Lisbonne. ERASME

EDITIONS.

Nivet, B. (2011). L'Union européenne : une dépolitisation propice au populisme. Revue internationale

et stratégique, pp. 16-27.

Rozenberg, O. (2009). L’influence du Parlement européen et l’indifférence de ses électeurs : une

corrélation fallacieuse ? Politique européenne, pp. 7-36.

Schmidt, V. (2007). L’Union européenne: crée-t-elle ou détruit-elle la démocratie? Politique

étrangère, pp. 517-528.

Simon Hix and Sara Hageman. (2009). Could changing the electoral rules fix European parliament

elections? Politique Européenne, pp. 37-52.

Surel, Y. (2011). l’Union européenne face aux populismes. Les brefs de notre Europe.

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Verluise, P. (2004, January). L’Union européenne, une démocratie paradoxale? Retrieved May 15,

2013, from Diploweb: www.diploweb.com