• Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

'As the only directly elected European Institution is the European Parliament, the European Union cannot be described as democratic.' Discuss

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

TMA 03 Dan Whittle U5236871 DD200 P.1 'As the only directly elected European Institution is the European Parliament, the European Union cannot be described as democratic.' Discuss Democracy is a political system where the sovereign power is in the hands of the people. Albert Weale gives a more functional definition: 'important public decisions on questions of law and policy depend, directly or indirectly, upon public opinion formally expressed by citizens of the community, the vast bulk of whom have equal political rights.'1 To ensure this is realised "public control and political equality...authorisation, representation and accountability are the key principles."2 This essay tests the institutions of the EU under these criteria and concludes on their democratic legitimacy. The 'democratic deficit' a term often used by journalists refers to an increasing gap between the power of the EU institutions and the perceived power of the people to influence EU decisions. In direct democracy (e.g referenda) decisions are taken directly by the people. Directly elected government are those chosen by the electorate to take the day to day decisions. For practical reasons there need to be unelected public servants to work with the elected government. ...read more.

Middle

The parliament also has the power to scrutinise the executive (council of ministers) and the commission. It has the power to censure the commission, the threat of which led to its resignation in recent times. The EP has a dialogue with the European Central bank as specified by the TEU. It receives nominations for the executive board, holds a three-monthly meeting with the president and can summon the ECB to scrutinise decisions. The European court of Justice enforces EU legislation. Judges are appointed by a common accord of the governments of the members states. The powers in bullet form: Parliament - Approves Budget - Share of decision making power in the co-decision procedure - Power to improve proposed legislation by amendment within the co-operation procedure. - Supervision of executive - representatives of the council of ministers. TMA 03 Dan Whittle U5236871 DD200 P.3 Council - Set EU objectives - Co-ordinate national policies - Legislate Court - settle disputes between the union's different institutions and member states. - has passed laws in such fields as employment, the environment, consumer protection and the free movement of goods and services. ...read more.

Conclusion

Where are the areas seen as central to the 'democratic deficit' problem? Council of Ministers If as stated by John Major, the EU gets its legitimacy through national Parliaments, then the attrition of national powers by the undemocratic EU institutions is undermining this idea. Romano Prodi said: "As long as the veto exists, the EU will be like a soldier trying to march with a ball and chain around one leg. The unanimity requirement means either complete paralysis or reducing everything to the lowest common denominator."3 Meanwhile the legitimacy the EU gets from National parliaments is further diminished. Commentators have noted that decisions of the parliament and Council which go against the will of the less democratic commission have been undermined anyway. In June 2001 Ireland voted against the Nice Treaty by referendum. But the joint statement issued by EU president Goran Persson and Commission president Romano Prodi was: 'The member states and the commission will pursue the enlargement negotiations with undeminished vigour and determination, in line with our firm commitment given to the applicant countries.' It's not surprising people feel disconnected from the EU elites when their feelings on the EU masterplan seem to have no effect. TMA 03 Dan Whittle U5236871 DD200 P. ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level European Union section.

Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

or


Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related AS and A Level European Union essays

  1. Which EU institution is the most powerful

    However, if Britain had failed to introduce this ruling, there is not a great deal the Commission could do to enforce its authority except fine Britain via the European Court. In this sense, the Commission only works if the member states in the European Union are compliant regarding Commission decisions.

  2. How important is the European Parliament?

    The EP regularly questions Commissioners, including the President of the Commission, in EP committees. The EP can vet and approve new commissions before the commission can come to power. They can use the same powers to reject the Commission, based on even one prospective Commissioner being unsuitable in the eyes of the EP.

  1. can the European Parliament be regarded as an effective legislative

    may adopt legislation without the other's assent.' (Europa, 2006). The difference between this procedure and that of co-operation is that if the council and the parliament reach a majority decision at the first reading, then it can be passed at that time without having to have a second reading.

  2. What Are The Functions Of The Four EU Institutions? How Are European Laws Made?

    Any countries that do not follow the word of the treaties get sanctions, if they do not abide by the ECJs decision. The commission implements the budget of the EU by managing it, even though it is national and social authorities that usually spend the money.

  1. Is there a democratic deficit in the EU? What are its implications and how ...

    The unique position of the Parliament in being a representative body that has a very limited role in the legislative process is also an area whereby the democratic deficit can be seen to have effect: energies of pressure groups such as the CBI or NFU are more wisely spent if

  2. 'Economic Integration within the European Union: Have MNEs driven the Commission's decision to adopt ...

    this will not be true until several years of accounts have been produced under IFRS. This should also allow investors to make informed decisions quicker than they previously had been able to (Anon, 2004). Furthermore, firms who have operations in more than one EU Member State will have to conform

  1. What does citizenship mean in the European context?

    Under this view, the nation, which is the modern expression of demos, constitutes the basis for the modern democratic State: The nation and its members constitute the polity for the purposes of accepting the discipline of democratic, majoritarian governance. Both descriptively and prescriptively (how it is and how it ought to be)

  2. Outline the Key Elements and Critically Assess the Draft Reform Treaty (Constitutional Treaty) of ...

    unanimity to qualified majority voting and the creation of the long-term Presidency of the European Council. In countries where the Treaty could be ratified by the parliament the consensus was to vote in favour. Government officials already having agreed to it in principle at a ceremony in Rome on 29 October 2004.

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work