Comparative European Electoral Systems

A basic contrast both within European national politics, and between Europe and the United States, is that between majoritarian/plurality legislative systems and those based on proportional representation. Name one strength, and one weakness, attributed to each of these types of system.

Just as there are distinctive strengths and weaknesses associated with majoritarian/plurality and PR systems, so too are there distinctive party configurations (number and size of parties) associated with each system. What configuration do majoritarian systems tend to produce? What do PR systems tend to produce? Why do these configurations tend to emerge?

One approach to understanding the development of the European Union as a set of institutions is called "intergovernmentalism". What does the intergovernmental view of European integration say about how that process of integration has proceeded? Describe one event from the history of the European Union which would be considered an example of intergovernmental integration.

One approach to understanding the European Union as a set of institutions is called "functionalism" (or "neo-functionalism"). What does the "functionalist" view of European integration say about how that process of integration has proceeded? Describe one event from the history of the European Union which could be considered an example of functionalist integration.

As you know, the "Democratic Deficit" is the idea that, taken together, the institutions of the European Union are less democratic than they could be, with respect to citizens of Europe. What are two examples of this deficit, as they are expressed through the institutional arrangements and powers of the EU?

Define the principle of "subsidiarity", as it applies to the exercise of powers by the European Union. Was does subsidiarity imply about the overall extent of the powers which the European Union can legitimately exercise?

One early European initiative from the 1950s was known as European Defense Cooperation (EDC). What happened to EDC, and why? How would you describe the security architecture of Europe and the role that the European Union plays in it? (pre-Donald Trump!)

While it calls itself a "parliament", the European Parliament isn't exactly like a normal national parliament, in terms of its powers. What are two ways in which the European parliament cannot act like a typical national parliament?

Although the EU has sought to impose a common experience on the integration process, over the years some policies have been adopted that apply to only some members of the EU. Give two examples (from two diƯerent policy areas) of opt-outs or exceptions secured by certain EU member states.

Although their names are similar, the European Council and the Council of the European Union are two very diƯerent institutions. Who serves on these institutions? What is the basic purpose of each institution?

The European Commission is the closest thing that the EU has to an executive branch. What powers and responsibilities does the European Commission have within the EU?

The President of the European Commission is the closest thing that the EU has to an executive branch figure. How does an individual get selected to serve in this position?

Within the structure of the EU, what checks exist upon the power of the President of the European Commission, and on the power of the European Commission as a whole?

The creation of the Euro currency (or, more formally, "Economic and Monetary Union") is often described as a political bargain between Germany and France. What did each country get out of the compromise that created the Euro? (Another way of asking this: What did each country give up in order to agree to create the Euro?)

The Cassis de Dijon case (1979) is considered a legal milestone in the creation of a common market within the EU. What are the facts of the case? What did the European Court of Justice decide? (you can be brief in describing this!) What did this decision mean for the project of European integration?

As you know, the EU's involvement in diƯerent policy areas varies from exclusive competence to none whatsoever. What accounts for this diƯerence? In particular, why are some policy issues considered the exclusive prerogative of the EU?

In addition to the Treaty of Rome (1957), the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 is probably the single most important legal milestone in the history of the EU. Describe two things that this treaty accomplished.

The political institutions of Great Britain comprise what is known as the "Westminster System" and makes use of plurality voting rules. What is the consequence of these voting rules for the way British governments are created?

One of Andrew Gamble's essays has the title "What's British About British Politics?" What are three ways in which Gamble thinks that British politics are distinctive?

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's years in oƯice mark a turning point in the trajectory of postwar British politics. What did Thatcher accomplish when she was Prime Minister? Why were her accomplishments significant (or controversial, as the case may be)?

What is the "West Lothian Question"? What is the significance of this question in the context of modern British politics?

The decision to host a Brexit vote in 2016 reflected not only long-standing doubts about EU membership but was a specific response to conditions in British politics in the early 2010s. What was taking place in British politics that prompted Conservatives under David Cameron to put EU membership up to a popular vote?

Unlike the chapter on Britain in Europe Today, the chapter on France begins, as a matter of chronology, with the Presidency of Francois Mitterrand in 1981. What was it about Mitterrand's Presidency that marked a turning point, or rupture, in postwar French politics?

A large theme of the French chapter in Europe Today concerns the response of the French political establishment to public anxieties about globalization. In general terms, what policy measures have successive French governments taken to respond to the economic and social stresses caused by globAlization

The Presidency of Emmanuel Macron (2017- the present) represents both continuity and change French national politics. In what ways have Macron's political coalition and policies departed from the policy agenda pursued by earlier Presidents?

While ostensibly only about the tax on fuel, the Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vest) protest movement of 2018-19 has taken on wider meaning. What does the Yellow Vest movement signify in modern French politics?

French immigration policy in the 21st century addresses the same challenges faced by other European countries. In one respect, though, France's perspective has been shaped by its principle of Laïcité, which means something like (but more than) secularism. How has this distinctive French tradition affected French immigration policy?

Name one strength, and one weakness, attributed to majoritarian/plurality legislative systems

Name one strength, and one weakness, attributed to proportional representation systems.

What configuration do majoritarian systems tend to produce? What do PR systems tend to produce? Why do these configurations tend to emerge?

What does the intergovernmental view of European integration say about how that process of integration has proceeded? Describe one event from the history of the European Union which would be considered an example of intergovernmental integration.

What does the functionalist view of European integration say about how that process of integration has proceeded? Describe one event from the history of the European Union which could be considered an example of functionalist integration.

What are two examples of the 'Democratic Deficit', as they are expressed through the institutional arrangements and powers of the EU?

What happened to European Defense Cooperation (EDC), and why? How would you describe the security architecture of Europe and the role that the European Union plays in it?

What are two ways in which the European parliament cannot act like a typical national parliament?

Give two examples (from two different policy areas) of opt-outs or exceptions secured by certain EU member states.

Who serves on the European Council and the Council of the European Union? What is the basic purpose of each institution?

What powers and responsibilities does the European Commission have within the EU?

How does an individual get selected to serve as the President of the European Commission?

What did Germany get out of the compromise that created the Euro? What did France get out of the compromise that created the Euro?

What are the facts of the Cassis de Dijon case? What did the European Court of Justice decide? What did this decision mean for the project of European integration?

Why are some policy issues considered the exclusive prerogative of the EU?

Describe two things that the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 accomplished.

What is the consequence of Westminster System voting rules for the way British governments are created?

What are three ways in which Gamble thinks that British politics are distinctive?

What did Thatcher accomplish when she was Prime Minister? Why were her accomplishments significant (or controversial, as the case may be)?

What was taking place in British politics that prompted Conservatives under David Cameron to put EU membership up to a popular vote?

What was it about Mitterrand's Presidency that marked a turning point, or rupture, in postwar French politics?

What policy measures have successive French governments taken to respond to the economic and social stresses caused by globalization?

In what ways have Macron's political coalition and policies departed from the policy agenda pursued by earlier Presidents?

What does the Yellow Vest movement signify in modern French politics?

How has the French tradition of Laïcité affected French immigration policy?

What is one strength and one weakness attributed to majoritarian/plurality legislative systems?

What is one strength and one weakness attributed to proportional representation (PR) systems?

What configuration do majoritarian systems tend to produce? Why?

What configuration do PR systems tend to produce? Why?

According to the intergovernmental view, how has the process of European integration proceeded?

Give an example of an event from the history of the European Union which would be considered an example of intergovernmental integration.

According to the functionalist or neo-functionalist view, how has the process of European integration proceeded?

Give an example of an event from the history of the European Union which could be considered an example of functionalist integration.

As they are expressed through the institutional arrangements and powers of the EU, give two examples of the Democratic Deficit.

Give two ways in which the European parliament cannot act like a typical national parliament?

Give two examples of opt-outs or exceptions secured by certain EU member states.

What did Germany and France get out of the compromise that created the Euro?

What did the European Court of Justice decide in the Cassis de Dijon case (1979)? What did this decision mean for the project of European integration?

How does the Westminster System and plurality voting rules affect how British governments are created?