Reflections On Democracy In The European Union

Reflections on democracy in the European Union', with a foreword by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, offers an interdisciplinary approach on EU democracy, law and politics from economic, juridical and philosophical perspectives. It is divided in three parts and deals with EU's contemporary challenges, its historical development, democracy and rule of law. The volume connects the EU's present to the past in order to reflect on possible future scenarios - which is especially important in these turbulent times after Brexit.

This book takes a wide-ranging approach to tackle the complex question of the current state of constitutional democracy in the EU. It brings together a broad set of academics and practitioners with legal and political perspectives to focus on both topical and perennial issues concerning constitutional democracy (including safeguarding the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights) in theory and practice, primarily at EU level but also with due regard to national and global developments. This approach underlines that rather than a single problématique to be analysed and resolved, we are presently facing a kaleidoscopic spectrum of related challenges that influence each other in elusive, multifaceted ways. Critical Reflections on Constitutional Democracy in the European Union offers a rich analysis of the issues as well as concrete policy recommendations, which will appeal to scholars and practitioners, students and interested citizens alike. It provides a meaningful contribution to the array of existing scholarship and debate by proposing original elements of analysis, challenging often-made assumptions, destabilising settled understandings and proposing fundamental reforms. Overall, the collection injects a set of fresh critical perspectives on this fundamental issue that is as contemporary as it is eternal.

This publication contains papers presented at a conference, held in November 2004 in Barcelona and organised by the Council of Europe. The purpose of the conference (held to mark the end of the three-year integrated project "Making democratic institutions work") was to discuss issues relating to the challenges and opportunities facing governments in Europe to strengthen democratic reform and encourage greater public participation. Topics covered include: promoting inclusive elections; financing of political parties; popular initiatives and referendums; and how modern communication technologies can affect the democratic process.

This book approaches the notion of good governance from three different angles. First it establishes whether it is a meaningful notion at all by taking a closer look at the parameters of good governance. Secondly, the authors look at the institutional translation of the criteria of good governance. In a third dimension, the concept may be analysed in relation to a number of substantive issues.

European integration is an open-ended, ongoing process which has been deeply challenged by integral world capitalism. This study explores the present EU foundational dilemma, looking at the problematic relationship between the ideal model of integration and the reality of the 21st century. Including contributions from leading theorists, this volume explores the ways and extent to which the present European crisis could create a politico-legal space for new possibilities and opportunities for action. The authors discuss the current role of the EU, and whether it aspires to be a democratic polity or a functional organization based on inter-governmental bargaining. The chapters question whether the future of European integration after the crisis will be paved by decisions which conflict with its Treaty basis, and how it might come up with alternatives which would do more than echo the compulsions of the global market. Issues are analysed from a historical perspective to see what can be learnt from its past and to explore the options for the future. With contributions from prominent international legal and political scholars, the book will be of interest to academics, students and policy-makers working in these areas.

Does social science matter? Yes. Why does social science matter? It provides humans with knowledge, in form of research and theory, that allows us to understand our surroundings and how the social realm works. In addition to the theoretical and empirical understanding of the social realm, social science allows us to anticipate and shape aspects of future social developments and outcomes – e.g., demography and human security and social unrests; or actions and potential reactions between and among individuals, state-actors and non-state actors and their implication on the social realm. Thus, social science matters due to its canon of knowledge which empowers humans with tools to not just understand the social realm but also mediate in social dynamics and suggest policy reforms. Humans keen on the social science develop practical skills, distinctly valued in all forms of social dynamics. For instance, individuals can understand their social surroundings, assess decisions they attempt to make and such which political leadership conducts on their behalf. Without our knowledge in social science our understanding of the social realm is less complete and our objectivity is less robust. This book provides a platform for readers, scholars, and for practitioners to learn about present trends and debates in Social Sciences, und conduct creative and fresh (interdisciplinary) research; to discuss common encounters, and brainstorm innovative solutions. This book includes Twelve chapters which are divided into four sections related to the disciplines of International Relations, Politics, History, and Law. The chapters are written with different depth and quality; they demonstrate the validity which the social science can stimulate our understanding and anticipation of our world.

When Dutch and subsequently French voters rejected the Draft Treaty for a Constitution for Europe in Spring 2005, many voices called for a pause for reflection. This book is, in part, a result of that moment of reflection. We wanted to contribute to the debate about Europe but crucially, we sought to do so by taking a step back from the problem formation and agenda-setting of Brussels. For the authors of this volume, one key to establishing critical distance has been the reappraisal of the historical perspective. Another has been the problematisation of 'Europe as a space' as opposed to looking for a definition of borders. The authors also seek critical distance through a focus on the tension between Europe as a culture, as a polity and as an economy. These tensions have often been neglected or even ignored and the relationships have been seen as more or less synonymous and harmonious. The aim of this volume, then, is two-fold. It wants, developing a critical distance to the present Europe, to contribute to the vivid academic research and debate on Europe, which too often either develops distance without commenting on the present state of affairs or comments on the present without critical distance.

Democracy is the only legitimate form of political power in societies that regard individuals as free and equal. Yet many have doubted whether the European Union is, can be, or should be democratic. Is the European Union unsustainable in its present form? Must it either take a precarious gamble on forming a full democratic political system of its own or, as some have argued, downsize so that it can be controlled by its member state democracies? A Different Kind of Democracy? helps answer these questions by bringing together some of the most important contributions to the literature on democracy and the European Union. It includes arguments for and against the claim that the European Union is in democratic deficit; reflections on the possibilities and problems of forming a European Union demos (democratic political community); and proposals for how the Union might be made democratic. Each of these topics is introduced by a careful analysis of the normative and practical questions it poses. As well as being of interest to scholars of European integration, the reader is indispensable to all with an interest in prospects for democracy beyond the state.