What's Wrong with the Europe Union and How to Fix It (eBook)

Simon Hix (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF | EPUB

2013 | 1. Auflage
232 Seiten
Wiley (Verlag)
978-0-7456-5837-7 (ISBN)

Infos

The European Union seems incapable of undertaking economic reforms and defining its place in the world. Public apathy towards the EU is also increasing, as citizens feel isolated from the institutions in Brussels and see no way to influence European level decisions. Taking a diagnosis and cure approach to the EU s difficulties, Simon Hix tackles these problems with distinct clarity and open-mindedness. What the EU needs, Hix contends, is more open political competition. This would promote policy innovation, foster coalitions across the institutions, provide incentives for the media to cover developments in Brussels, and enable citizens to identify who governs in the EU and to take sides in policy debates. The EU is ready for this new challenge. The institutional reforms since the 1980s have transformed the EU into a more competitive polity, and political battles and coalitions are developing inside and between the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission. This emerging politics should be more central to the Brussels policy process, with clearer coalitions and identifiable winners and losers, at least in the short term. The risks are low because the EU has multiple checks-and-balances. Yet, the potential benefits are high, as more open politics could enable the EU to overcome policy gridlock, rebuild public support, and reduce the democratic deficit. This indispensable book will be of great interest to students of the European politics, scholars, policy makers and anyone concerned with the future of the European Union.

Autor

Simon Hix is a British political scientist and Harold Laski Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Inhalt

List of figures, tables and boxes vi

Preface ix

List of abbreviations xi

1. Introduction 1

2. Why the European Union is more necessary than ever 8

PART I: THE DIAGNOSIS 29

3. Policy gridlock 31

4. Lack of popular legitimacy 50

5. A democratic deficit 67

PART II: THE CURE 87

6. The case for 'limited democratic politics' in the
EU 89

7. How the EU is ready for limited democratic politics 110

8. Encouraging democratic politics in the EU 137

9. A scenario: the 2009 European Commission President contest
166

10. Conclusion and response to potential critiques 179

Notes 193

References 200

Index 208

Rezensionen

"An exciting, rigorous and compelling book. The fix of Hix makes
much more sense than the Panglossians who want to do nothing or
others who argue that all the EU's problems will be resolved with
better PR and more procedural reforms."

International Affairs

"Hix's research makes a convincing case that left-right
divisions have deeply penetrated policymaking in the parliament,
the council and the commission. Missing is a contest for political
power and policymaking between rival groups and policies, with
clear winners and losers and a visible link between voting,
leadership and outcome."

Irish Times

"[A] short and highly readable book, which began life as a
series of policy papers written for the UK government."

Ethics and International Affairs

"Simon Hix's analysis is as authoritative as his case for reform
is compelling. Reasoned, rigorous and riveting, this book is a
must-read for all who care about the future of the European
Union."

Sir Stephen Wall

"An exceptionally clear and provocative argument in favour of
'limited democratic politics' in the EU, showing precisely how it
could be applied to the 2009 European elections."

Michael Shackleton, Secretariat of the European
Parliament

"Simon Hix is among the leading political analysts of the
European Union of his generation. Here he offers a critical yet
balanced analysis of Europe's 'democratic deficit', linked to
pragmatic proposals for reform. Whether one agrees or not, this
slim and readable volume is required reading for anyone seriously
concerned about the constitutional future and political legitimacy
of Europe."

Andrew Moravcsik, Princeton University

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 23.4.2013
• Reihe/Serie: PWWS - Polity Whats Wrong series
• Reihe/Serie: PWWS - Polity Whats Wrong series
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Politik / Verwaltung ► Allgemeines / Lexika
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Politik / Verwaltung ► Europäische / Internationale Politik
• Schlagworte: Economics • Economics Special Topics • Political Science • Politikwissenschaft • Social Policy • Social Policy & Welfare • Sozialarbeit • Sozialpolitik • Sozialpolitik u. Wohlfahrt • Spezialthemen Volkswirtschaftslehre • Volkswirtschaft • Volkswirtschaftslehre
• ISBN-10: 0-7456-5837-7 / 0745658377
• ISBN-13: 978-0-7456-5837-7 / 9780745658377