Question

To what extent does the European Union suffer from a 'democratic deficit'? Is the democratic deficit a problem? Consider EU institutions and paradigms in your response.

What factors led to the emergence of new parties in Western Europe (Green, far right, successful regional parties).

Answer 1

European union is the form of economic integration/cooperation which has "Democratic deficit", leads to perceived lack of Accessibility to the ordinary citizen and lack of accountability of European Union institutions.

*Democratic deficit is not a problem because instead of concentrating on centralised power it is better to transfer the powers from high centric to low centric which is considered as decentralized or grass root level development.

*European Union as an institution it has its own code of conduct which is explained in the objectives of Treaty of Rome (1957) which comprises paradigms based on three perspectives-

a) Socio -psychological perspective - In this argument Eu is undemocratic in nature due to certain reasons like low voter turnout in elections,lack of European identity and strong political party which leads to lower level contribution to the performance of economic indicators like taxation,social welfare,health care and education.

b) Institutional perspective- EU. has gained more gained more powers over the years with help of successive treaties,the concept of decision making( Lisbon Treaty in 2009).

c) Integration process and improvement perspective- E U has improved citizen participation and public participation through politicization.

Factors lead to the emergence of new parties in Western Europe are:

a) Voters

b) Seats

c) Ministerial posts

d) Party system innovation

e) National political environment

f) The role of internal agency

g) Sustainable environmental

h) Party financing

Democratic deficit in Europe argues that whether it is real hurdle or not,whether it suffers or not but some conveniences from legitimacy and democratic poverty has put thoughts into critical thinking among the scholars of the world.