European Integration and Democracy
7 december 2023
Improving the democratic level of the European Union by strengthening the link
between citizens and their representatives
“No democratic government can afford not to listen to the voices of its citizens.” (Cornwall,
Andrea 2017), which has been the motto of the European Union since 2000. The European
Union is a unique partnership between 27 Member States which are spread out on the
European continent. Its goal is to prolong perpetual peace and integrate European
economies. However, there is an ongoing debate about there being a democratic deficit in
the European Union (‘EU’). But what is the democratic deficit? This essay will answer the
following question: “Why is it often perceived that the European Union is suffering from a
democratic deficit and how can the democratic level of the EU be improved?”
The democratic deficit is about the gap between the EU institutions and its citizens, decisions
are often seen as distant and without any citizen input. In my opinion, the solution to
improving the democratic level of the EU can be found in strengthening the links between the
citizens of the Member States and their representatives in the European Commission (‘EC’)
by making them more involved in the selection of the President of the Commission.
(Proposal 38 Measure 4)
The topic of this essay is quite relevant, seeing how the EC should be the institution that is
working in favour of the national interests. Every Member State has one representative in the
EC, but the citizens do not choose the members of the EC through elections. Members of the
European Council choose them after approval of the European Parliament. How can the EC
represent the citizens' interests if they are not chosen by the citizens?
The essay will be written using a qualitative method, seeing how the essay will be based on
written resources and not on numbers. It will also be conducted with secondary research, the
essay is multiple written resources where the data has already been collected, such as the
final report of the Conference on the Future of Europe and other rapports on the links
between the citizens of the Member States and their representatives in the European
Commission. Lastly, the essay will be conducted with descriptive data, there will not be any
interference with the collected data.
Structure of the paper
1. Introduction Explanation of my perspective on this proposal.
2. Main body:
a. Democratic deficit, the history behind it and the evolvement of it.
b. Explanation of why the links between citizens and their representatives should be
strengthened.
i. They should take in the national interests of the citizens and focus on
making the citizens feel heard.
1. Citizens of all ages should be engaged.
ii. Citizens should have a say in the composition of the European
Commission.
1. Direct election of the Commission President.
2. Indirect election through a lead candidate system.
3. Conclusion Summary of why this proposal could improve the democracy in the EU.
List of references to literature
1. Cini, Michelle, and Nieves Pérez-Solórzano Borragán. European Union Politics. 7th ed.
Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2022.
The book gives a clear view and explanation of the European institutions and the different
political evolutions that occurred in the European Union. It thereby explains the democratic
deficit.
7 december 2023
Improving the democratic level of the European Union by strengthening the link
between citizens and their representatives
“No democratic government can afford not to listen to the voices of its citizens.” (Cornwall,
Andrea 2017), which has been the motto of the European Union since 2000. The European
Union is a unique partnership between 27 Member States which are spread out on the
European continent. Its goal is to prolong perpetual peace and integrate European
economies. However, there is an ongoing debate about there being a democratic deficit in
the European Union (‘EU’). But what is the democratic deficit? This essay will answer the
following question: “Why is it often perceived that the European Union is suffering from a
democratic deficit and how can the democratic level of the EU be improved?”
The democratic deficit is about the gap between the EU institutions and its citizens, decisions
are often seen as distant and without any citizen input. In my opinion, the solution to
improving the democratic level of the EU can be found in strengthening the links between the
citizens of the Member States and their representatives in the European Commission (‘EC’)
by making them more involved in the selection of the President of the Commission.
(Proposal 38 Measure 4)
The topic of this essay is quite relevant, seeing how the EC should be the institution that is
working in favour of the national interests. Every Member State has one representative in the
EC, but the citizens do not choose the members of the EC through elections. Members of the
European Council choose them after approval of the European Parliament. How can the EC
represent the citizens' interests if they are not chosen by the citizens?
The essay will be written using a qualitative method, seeing how the essay will be based on
written resources and not on numbers. It will also be conducted with secondary research, the
essay is multiple written resources where the data has already been collected, such as the
final report of the Conference on the Future of Europe and other rapports on the links
between the citizens of the Member States and their representatives in the European
Commission. Lastly, the essay will be conducted with descriptive data, there will not be any
interference with the collected data.
Structure of the paper
1. Introduction Explanation of my perspective on this proposal.
2. Main body:
a. Democratic deficit, the history behind it and the evolvement of it.
b. Explanation of why the links between citizens and their representatives should be
strengthened.
i. They should take in the national interests of the citizens and focus on
making the citizens feel heard.
1. Citizens of all ages should be engaged.
ii. Citizens should have a say in the composition of the European
Commission.
1. Direct election of the Commission President.
2. Indirect election through a lead candidate system.
3. Conclusion Summary of why this proposal could improve the democracy in the EU.
List of references to literature
1. Cini, Michelle, and Nieves Pérez-Solórzano Borragán. European Union Politics. 7th ed.
Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2022.
The book gives a clear view and explanation of the European institutions and the different
political evolutions that occurred in the European Union. It thereby explains the democratic
deficit.
