Abstract
In a symbolic gesture toward creating an ever closer Union, the European Union
conferred citizenship on everyone who was also a subject of one of its member states. However, the rights of European citizens are more like those of subjects of the pre-1914 German Kaiser than of a 21st century European democracy. Citizens have the right to vote for members of the European Parliament (EP) but this does not make the EU’s governors accountable as is the case in a normal parliamentary democracy. The result is a democratic deficit.
conferred citizenship on everyone who was also a subject of one of its member states. However, the rights of European citizens are more like those of subjects of the pre-1914 German Kaiser than of a 21st century European democracy. Citizens have the right to vote for members of the European Parliament (EP) but this does not make the EU’s governors accountable as is the case in a normal parliamentary democracy. The result is a democratic deficit.
Original language | English |
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Place of Publication | Berlin |
Media of output | Online |
Publication status | Published - 30 Nov 2015 |
Keywords
- European Union
- democracy
- democratic deficit
- accountability
- multi-level governance
- representative government