The Democratic Deficit

What does democracy mean in the Old Greek tradition?

• Comes from the Greek tradition of governance: ( Aristotle)

• Right of citizens to be governed and to govern

What does democracy mean in the Modern tradition?

• Modern tradition: ( R. Dahl)

• Citizens have the right to influence the process of decision-making and have equal representation

• Strong sense of belonging

What is the defintion of democratic deficit?

The democratic deficit in the EU refers to the perceived gap between the EU's decision-making processes and the citizens' ability to influence those processes.

What does the democratic deficit in the EU look like?

• Lack of connection

• Lack of accountability

Describe the lack of connection?

• Between citizens and institutions

  • EU Parliament is the only institution that is directly elected by the citizens

• National Parliament are being stripped of thier national power —→ they responed to laws that come from Europe and not the desire of the citizens

  • Transfer of power from nationsl govs. to international institutions.

Lack of Accountability

• Council of Ministers- nominated & not elected

  • They cannot be held accountable by EU citizens for creating laws that greatly affect the lives of EU citizens

What are the E.U. Undemocratic Problems?

• Lack of consensus

• Lack of accountability

• Lack of transparency

• Lack of legitimacy

• Lack of protection

• EP elections do not affect the executive ( Commission)

• EP has limited powers

• Decisions made by the Councils wich are not accountable to EP

• Ministers in the Councils are not accountable for policy outcomes

What is the evidence in favor of the democratic deficit in the EU?

• Decision taken in the Councils lack scutiny

• EP elections are “ second order elections”

• Citizens more skeptical of EU than elites; the latter make decisions

• European parties do not provide links to citizens like national parties

What is the evidence against the of the democratic deficit in the EU?

• EP powers have been enhanced

• More euroskepticism: elites need to listen

• More cohesion in voting of EP groups

What are the reforms of the democratic deficit?

• At the EU level

• At the member states level

• At the sub-internatoinal level

What is euroscepticism in the EU democratic deficit?

• Elitism

• Distance from citizens

• Unpopular policies

• Threat to national identity

• Disadvantage to weak states

What is the rise of populism in the EU democratic deficit?

• Past political issues based on the left vs. right spectrum

• Tody’s issues are mainly cultural

• Older electors feel threated