Democracy without democracy? Can the EU’s democratic ‘outputs’ be separated from the democratic ‘inputs’ provided by competitive parties and majority rule?

Author (Person)
Series Title
Series Details Vol.17, No.1, January 2010, p2–19
Publication Date January 2010
ISSN 1350-1763
Content Type

Abstract:
Various European Union (EU) analysts suggest that although a democratic deficit exists from the perspective of 'input' democracy, democratic processes such as competitive parties and majority rule are neither necessary nor suitable to secure democratic 'outputs' of the kind the EU delivers. This article disputes this claim. 'Input' arguments are vital to the legitimacy of decision-making in the EU's policy areas, and the non- and counter-majoritarian mechanisms these analysts advocate have perverse rather than beneficial effects on the quality of 'outputs'.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/
Subject Categories
Countries / Regions