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9 September 2004 Richard Laming Director, Federal Union

The democratic credentials of the new European Union: does the c onstitution increase the EU’s democratic legitimacy?. 9 September 2004 Richard Laming Director, Federal Union Bureau member, Union of European Federalists. Why democracy matters in the EU.

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9 September 2004 Richard Laming Director, Federal Union

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  1. The democratic credentials of the new European Union: does the constitution increase the EU’s democratic legitimacy? 9 September 2004 Richard Laming Director, Federal Union Bureau member, Union of European Federalists

  2. Why democracy matters in the EU • there are issues too big for an individual country to solve on its own • member states are themselves democratic • EU must itself be democratic if not to undermine democracy

  3. Two meanings of “democratic deficit” • Originally (1977) the inability of the EU to act • Since the Single European Act (1986) and the introduction of QMV the extent to which EU decision-making outstrips citizens’ control

  4. Five decision-makers in the European Union • European Commission • member state governments • European Parliament • member state parliaments • the citizens

  5. Five areas of decision-making • Leadership of the EU • The legislative process • Controlling justice and home affairs • Foreign and defence policy • Protecting human rights

  6. What do we mean by gaining influence? • Influence in this context is not a zero-sum game • Interdependence between the different countries of Europe already exists • Influence means that politics regains control over economics

  7. Leadership of the EU

  8. The legislative process

  9. Controlling justice and home affairs

  10. Foreign and defence policy

  11. Protecting human rights

  12. Democracy is not all that matters in the EU • There is more to legitimacy than just democracy • The rules must not only exist but be understood and respected by the citizens

  13. Final thoughts • Politics is the art of the possible - Bismarck • Politics is the art of making possible what is necessary - Monnet

  14. More information www.federalunion.org.uk www.federaleurope.org www.fedtrust.co.uk

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