'There is a lack of accountability at the heart of European Politics.' Discuss
Plan
The EU political system
* EU institutions differ due to national Institutions
* Court if Justice is the Judicial Branch
* Much EU Activity concerns economic and related policies
* (E.g. the Single European market, agriculture)
* Two branches:
* The council of Ministers is the upper house National Governments are represented
* European Parliament is the lower house with member states represented according to population
* European Commission:
* Seen as the Executive branch
* Responsible for a policy portfolio but not as powerful as national cab
* Resembles executive; proposes to make policy
* Democratic Deficit:
* Refers to transfer of policy competence from National Gov to EU
* Decision Makers less accountable to voters
* National Parl have been weakened, as they cannot hold commission responsible
* Main executive body National Commission is unelected
* Commission is nominated by National Government so accountable to EU Parl
* Addressing the Democratic Deficit:
* Giving more power to the EU president to increase EU power has been experimented
* Critics argue National Power cannot be transferred to EU Parliament
* Low link between citizens and EU Parliament
* Turnout in EU elections low, 2009 43%, Campaigns dominated by national
* European Commission :
* Executive body of the EU, based in Brussels
* Civil service- which employs 23,000 officials
* Can initiate draft legislation in most (except common foreign and Security policy)
* Executes EU Legislation
* Significant agenda setting role under Jacques Delores.
* Although standing was damaged by fraud and favouring relatives
* Integration Theories
* Multi level Governance- Range of actors involved in decision making process
* National Government remains most important actor
* Supranational actors...