EU Democracy: Balancing Member States' Interests

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Questions and Answers

What are the two main functions the EU performs according to Nico Majone?

The EU enables member states to pursue unpopular political goals reliably and oversees the protection of widespread interests against organized resistance.

How does the EU manage short-term initiatives that may conflict with its laws?

The primacy of EU law ensures that short-term initiatives driven by interest groups are unlikely to succeed against established regulations.

What example is provided to illustrate the EU's protection of underrepresented interests?

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 demonstrates the EU's commitment to consumer rights by providing compensation for passengers affected by flight cancellations.

What concept from Madison underpins the notion that certain groups may feel disempowered at the European level?

<p>The Madisonian idea suggests that politically underrepresented interests may struggle to mobilize effectively in a supranational context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the EU's approach impact national democracy?

<p>The EU's approach strengthens supranationalism while potentially limiting the effectiveness of national democracy on certain issues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Supranationalism as a Tool for Long-Term Goals

The idea that the European Union can achieve unpopular but beneficial goals by shielding them from immediate democratic pressure. National governments can pursue long-term objectives, like economic success, even if they are unpopular with the public. This is achieved through supranational laws that prioritize the EU's goals over national interests, limiting the influence of short-term political pressures.

Protecting Widespread Interests Through EU Institutions

The ability of the European Union to protect the interests of a broader population by acting through institutions like the European Commission and agencies, even when these actions may negatively impact specific groups that are likely to resist in their respective national realms.

EU Power to Implement Beneficial Policies

The European Union's ability to implement policies that benefit a large number of people, even if these actions may cause inconvenience to specific groups, as the EU can sidestep local political opposition.

Supranational Democracy as a Counterbalance to National Democracy

The argument that the EU's use of supranationalism, while it may limit national democracy, can ultimately lead to a stronger form of overarching democracy by representing a broader population.

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Supranationalism's Role in Strengthening Borders

The EU's strength and the increasing importance of supranationalism in the modern world, as evidenced by its role in safeguarding against abuses at national borders.

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Study Notes

§ 104: Less Democracy in the Interest of Citizens?

The EU pursues goals by drawing on democratic policies.
This approach was highlighted in the 1990s by Italian political scientist Nico Majone (1932).
This approach allows member states to pursue credible policy objectives, even if unpopular in the short-term, potentially benefiting the long-term economy.
It regulates national subsidies, competition law, and fundamental freedoms.
EU institutions (e.g., European Commission) ensure the pursued objectives succeed, even when particular interest groups object.