POLI 212 final - combined terms + EU institutions

Institutional Framework

7 institutions that aim to promote EU values, advance objectives, and ensure consistency and effectiveness of policies

European Council

Defines the general political direction and priorities of the Union. Composed of the Heads of State or Government, its President, and th President of the Commission

The Council (of the European Union)

Represents the governments of the Member States; it shares legislative and budgetary powers with the EP. Uses Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) for most decisions.

European Commission 

The EU’s executive arm; it has the exclusive Right of Legislative Initiative (proposes laws) and acts as the Guardian of Treaties (monitors application of EU law) 

European Parliament (EP) 

Represents the citizens of the Union; shares legislative and budgetary powers with the Council and exercises democratic scrutiny

Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)

The Union’s judicial branch comprises the Court of Justice, the General Court, and Specialised Courts. Its role is to ensure that the law is observed in the interpretation and application of the Treaties.

European Central Bank (ECB) 

Together with national central banks, it has primary responsibility for monetary policy within the euro area 

Democratic Accountability

The system by which EU institutions are held to account, primarily through the double democratic mandate

Duverger’s Law

A principle stating that single-member district plurality systems tend to favor a two-party system.

Political Cleavage

A deep and lasting division in society that influences political alignment, often based on factors like class, religion, ethnicity, or region.

Knowledge Society/Economy

An economy driven by the production, distribution, and use of knowledge and information rather than traditional industrial or agricultural sectors.

European Integration

The process of political, economic, and legal unification among European countries, primarily through institutions like the EU.

European Parliament

The directly elected legislative body of the European Union that represents EU citizens and shares law-making powers with the Council of the EU.

European Court of Justice

The highest court in the EU that ensures uniform interpretation and application of EU law across member states.

Council of the EU

An institution representing the governments of EU member states, responsible for adopting laws and coordinating policies with the European Parliament.

European Council

A body composed of heads of state or government of EU countries that sets the overall political direction and priorities of the EU.

House of Commons

The lower house of the UK Parliament, composed of elected representatives, responsible for making laws and scrutinizing government actions.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs and values about the proper role of government, society, and economy that guides political behavior.

Plurality/FPTP

A voting system where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not have an absolute majority.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system where seats are allocated to parties based on the percentage of votes they receive.

Brexit

The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union following a 2016 referendum.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

Transnational Cleavage

Political divisions that arise from globalization, often between cosmopolitan and nationalist values.

Functionalism

A theory of integration that emphasizes cooperation in specific sectors (like trade or energy) as a way to build broader political unity.

Intergovernmentalism

An approach to integration where decisions are made by consensus among sovereign states rather than by supranational institutions.

Supranationalism

A system where authority is delegated to institutions above the level of individual nation-states, such as the EU.

European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

A 1951 organization that pooled coal and steel production among six European countries, laying the foundation for the EU.

Lisbon Treaty

A 2007 treaty that reformed EU institutions to improve efficiency and democratic legitimacy, and introduced the position of President of the European Council.

Maastricht Treaty

A 1992 treaty that established the European Union and introduced the euro as a common currency.

GAL Parties

Political parties that emphasize Green, Alternative, and Libertarian values, often associated with progressive and cosmopolitan positions.

TAN Parties

Political parties that emphasize Traditional, Authoritarian, and Nationalist values, often associated with conservative and nationalist positions.

Parliamentary Systems

A system of government where the executive derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature, often with a prime minister as head of government.

Presidential Systems

A system of government where the executive is separate from the legislature and is headed by a president elected independently.