The Democratic Legitimacy of the EU's Economic Governance and National Parliaments PDF Download

Author: Claudia Hefftler
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Comparative government
Languages : en
Pages : 17

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Book Description
The Euro crisis has a major impact on the EU as such and on its member states. A key dimension of it concerns the democratic legitimation by national parliaments of the measures taken to face the crisis. Perpetuating the general trend of de-parliamentarization triggered by European integration, national parliaments find it ever more difficult to control their executives in times of these drastic economic measures. As a contribution to the lively political and academic debate on the role of national parliaments in the EU, this paper will focus on the recent participation of national parliaments in the policy-making of the economic governance evolving at the EU level. Two major aspects of the Euro crisis' decision-making in recent years include: the role of the European Council and policy coordination in the European Semester. Both challenge the ability of national parliaments to stay in control of national budgets and economic policy. This paper, which draws on comparative data concerning all 27 EU member states, considers whether national parliaments are further sidelined in the EU decision-making process or try to "fight back" against their loss of traditional competences.

Author: Diane Fromage
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429589980
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 169

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Book Description
This book considers national parliaments’ and the European Parliament’s role in European Union (EU) economic governance. It examines the recent strengthening of parliamentary involvement, limitations to improvements, and where and how democratic deficits still exist. It also provides the basis for some reflections concerning possible future evolutions and improvements to EU economic governance. The EU’s economic governance framework has been significantly strengthened as a response to the 2008 economic and financial crisis, and the establishment of a new Banking Union in 2013. It is thus key to determine whether these additional transfers of powers to the EU level have been accompanied by an equivalent empowerment of the national and European legislatures, allowing them to ensure adequate democratic legitimation. The chapters comprehensively re-examine the democratic (throughput) legitimacy of, and within, the EU’s economic governance by focusing on national parliaments, on the European Parliament, and on mechanisms for interparliamentary cooperation. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of European Integration.

Author: A. (Ton) van den Brink
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 10

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Book Description
The current economic crisis has challenged the democratic model of representation within the European Union. The author mentions three fundamental tensions that characterize the legal position of EU states: First, the tension between national sovereignty and economic stability; second, the tension between executive and legislative powers; third, the tension of the gradual introduction and development of redistributive policies at the European level. According to the author, the debate on the 'democratic deficit' is still alive. One of the strongest points of critique on the entire EU has been that there is no concrete democratic path for the national governments. Many measures have been taken to address the economic crisis, such as treaties and soft law instruments. These have led to a new EU Economic Governance Model, where public finance and macroeconomic policies of member states are being coordinated. EU institutions are, on one hand, involved via the European Semester and on the other hand via special procedures in case of problems. The author considers the role of the European Parliament still weak in this issue, as it has no real powers. Arguments therefore arise for stronger national parliaments, for example to compensate this lack of power. The author reminds that national governments are still the key players in defining national economic policies. Although the procedural role of national parliaments in the EU dominates, the author claims that the essential issue is which substantive roles they must pursue in the field of economics.

Author: Menelaos Markakis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This article looks at the measures that were adopted in response to the Euro crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic and their implications for accountability and democratic legitimacy in the area of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The discussion begins with the legitimacy issues that were facing the EMU/EU in the aftermath of the Euro crisis, as well as the accountability and transparency arrangements that obtain in the area of EU economic governance. The focus then shifts to the further evolution of the Economic Union (the 'E' of EMU), as triggered by the EU's response to the pandemic. The relevant section does not purport to provide a detailed exegesis of the powers of the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies (and their domestic-level, principally technocratic, counterparts) in all sub-fields of EMU. It rather aims to illustrate the significance of their ever-expanding tasks, as well as the need that the exercise of those powers be subject to robust accountability and transparency arrangements. Accordingly, the discussion of the key features of these novel measures is followed by analysis of the accountability arrangements that are enshrined therein or accompany them, as well as their implications for the legitimacy of EMU/EU. It will be shown that, although there has been some progress made in terms of accountability and transparency, plenty of gaps remain. The penultimate section will provide a glimpse into what the future may bring for EMU, thereby looking at other suggested reforms that could be implemented in order to further 'deepen' the EMU. It will be argued that those reform plans emanating from (or under consideration by) the EU institutions have not always placed enough emphasis on the need for robust accountability and transparency arrangements and that their potentially far-reaching nature bolsters the argument made in this paper that such arrangements would be indispensable. It will be concluded that our assessment of the degree of accountability and democratic legitimacy in this area varies depending on the aspects of crisis reforms one focuses on. It is further argued that the empowerment of the European Parliament (and, where appropriate, of national parliaments) in EMU matters must continue in the future, especially as more reforms are implemented to ensure a robust EMU framework.

Author: J. DeBardeleben
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 0230591787
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Book Description
Focusing on the EU, this volume, with a combination of theoretical perspectives and empirical research, examines the problems multilevel governance causes for democratic legitimacy by placing it in a comparative and theoretical context, and explore how challenges faced by the EU compare with those faced by traditional federal systems worldwide.

Author: Mark Dawson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 019106713X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Book Description
In the wake of the euro crisis, the European Union has been transformed in many ways. Is it now on the right track? The euro crisis, the steps taken to manage it, and the resulting transformations have triggered a necessary process of reconsidering economic governance in the European Union. This volume— the third in a series of annual editions tackling different aspects of governance— examines the long list of open political, legal, and economic questions related to the functioning and fundamental structure of the Union as a whole and the economic and monetary union in particular. Organised in three main sections, the contributions to this collection bring the perspectives of different academic disciplines to bear on the functional aspects of economic governance, the institutional transformations that have taken place, and their implications for the Union's legitimacy. A separate chapter looks at inequalities in perceptions of economic conditions and well-being within the European Union to identify trends particularly during the eurozone crisis. In doing so, the chapters in this volume take stock of the current situation, shed light on the dilemmas and challenges that must be recognised and addressed, and explore various options for the way ahead. The collection's ultimate goal is to assess whether the recent transformations lead EU governance in the right direction or require further adjustment.

Author: Menelaos Markakis
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192583956
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
Following the financial and public debt crisis, the EU's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) has been under intense political scrutiny. The measures adopted in response to the crisis have granted additional powers to the EU (and national) authorities, the exercise of which can have massive implications for the economies of the Member States, financial institutions and, of course, citizens. The following questions arise: how can we hold accountable those institutions that are exercising power at the national and EU level? What is the appropriate level, type and degree of accountability and transparency that should be involved in the development of the EU's governance structures in the areas of fiscal and economic governance and the Banking Union? What is the role of parliaments and courts in holding those institutions accountable for the exercise of their duties? Is the revised EMU framework democratically legitimate? How can we bridge the gap between the citizens - and the institutions that represent them - and those institutions that are making these important decisions in the field of economic and monetary policy? This book principally examines the mechanisms for political and legal accountability in the EMU and the Banking Union. It examines the implications that the reforms of EU economic governance have had for the locus and strength of executive power in the Union, as well as the role of parliaments (and other political fora) and courts in holding the institutions acting in this area accountable for the exercise of their tasks. It further sets out several proposals regarding transparency, accountability, and legitimacy in the EMU.

Author: Arthur Benz
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 113422978X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description
For the first time, this new collection brings together country specialists, researchers on the European Union, and leading international relations scholars to tackle a crucial question: how compatible are today’s new patterns of ‘policy networks’ and ‘multi-level’ governance with democratic standards? This important question is attracting attention both in political science and in political practices. In political science, the question is mainly dealt with in separated sub-disciplines, which focus on different levels of politics. So far, no serious exchange has actually taken place between authors working on these different levels. The editors of this book – both specialists of network and multi-level governance – show that although the issue is raised differently in the institutional settings of the national state, the European Union, or transnational governance, excellent insights can be gained by comparison across these settings. This major new contribution includes cutting edge work from junior scholars alongside chapters by leading specialists of governance such as Guy Peters, Jon Pierre, Philippe C. Schmitter and Thomas Risse. It also contains a collection of new case studies, theoretical conceptualisations and normative proposals for solutions dealing with the issue of democratic deficits, which all give the reader a better understanding of the most crucial problems and perspectives of democracy in different patterns of "governance" beyond conventional ‘government’ approaches. This is a valuable book for policy analysts, students of the European Union and international relations, and all students in social and political science.

Author: Beate Kohler-Koch
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742554924
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Book Description
Recoge: 1. Democracy. -- 2. What future for parliamentary democracy in the EU. -- 3. The public sphere and civil society: prerequisites for democratically legitimate rule making. -- 4. Democracy and political participation. -- 5. Deliberative democracy.

Author: Luigi Daniele
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319538950
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 418

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Book Description
The book covers some of the major issues concerning the problematic relationship between respect for democratic principles and the new European Economic Governance. Innovative approaches are highlighted throughout the book: new frameworks and arrangements are proposed on the basis of efficiency analyses, as well as their institutional and legal suitability. Though the perspective adopted is essentially a legal one, the economic and policy background are also given due consideration.The papers presented here offer a balanced mix of empirical (including comparative) and theoretical analysis; several also combine the two approaches, carrying out empirical analyses, then setting the results against theoretical options. Given the relative dearth of literature on democratic principles and the EMU, let alone a comprehensive enquiry, the book marks a valuable new contribution.