Contours of a European Federation

Abstract:

Many observers feel - or fear - that the European Union is going to end up in a Federation. But what kind of federation? This article contributes to a better understanding of federalism and federation in listing a number of 'federalist essentials'. It sketches the various steps the European 'polity in the making' has already taken on the path towards federation. The main object of the article, however, is to submit a proposal: What should a future European federation look like if it is to fit the extreme heterogeneity of European societies and the multidimensionality of European politics, as well as to meet both the federalist essentials and democratic requirements? The centrepiece of this proposal is a new procedural model of competence allocation.