Interest Groups Essay example

| Party politics, government, opposition, public administration, public policy, developed assemblies, local government, pressure groups, public opinion, EU institutions, international organisations

Each type of government holds different views as to the role the leaders and citizens should perform in their country .Different types of government include, oligarchy where the government is run by the best leaders, Tyranny, where they believe those in power should have complete control over its people. In the United States of America, we believe in democracy, rule by the majority. The main problem with our type of government is maintaining it. Our government and its citizens have lost sight of their roles and responsibilities, in government.

When identifying the presence of a democratic deficit in the European Union, it is important to consider a range of factors, including international treaties and the effect they had on its structured governmental framework. One of the first official agreements established by the European Union (formerly

The EU is a supranational organization and there can be a rather large division between the supranational interests of the whole EU and the individual member states of the EU. In the components of the EU national interest can play a big part. Many of the representatives of countries will often look after what is best for their individual country. Some of these representatives are supposed to look after the whole of the EU and

Part of the exceptional nature of the EU stems from the notion that nothing like it has ever been attempted successfully before. The European Union is an international institution with a single market and shared currency. It strives to maintain singular goals and make its way towards being an “ever closer union”. Today, the European Union has expanded to include twenty-eight member countries with an influence that reaches every continent. This institution has had an impressive history, but it has reached a point of concern. The golden years which held high hopes of a united supranational Union are long over. The EU faces destructive problems today, which could ultimately end their impressive era of cooperation. The Union has come

From a macro scope it is evident the EU is strong promoter democracy and has deeply embedded democratic features, however, as Peterson and Shackleton point out that “understanding politics always begins with understanding institutions not at least the EU”. Taking this advice the essay will seek to examine the two main legislative bodies within the EU,

The closer the link is between the citizens and government, the stronger the political culture and the people can be better represented. In the case of the EU, the democratic deficit hinders this relationship and contributes to contested democracy.

The European Union calls itself “a unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries” (1) which apparently aims to promote “peace, prosperity and freedom for its 495 million citizens – in a fairer, safer world” (1). While this may be a noble sentiment, in reality the EU is an inefficient, bureaucratic mess. It is my belief that, while the European Union is fundamentally a good idea, it is turning into an undemocratic kleptocracy that will gradually begin to remove our civil liberties while causing great damage to many areas including the environment and society.

The European Commission has the power to draft, execute and regulate EU laws. Each member is equally represented- totalling to twenty seven commissioners, who serve a five year term. The European Commission is the bureaucratic arm working to promote EU interests. In many ways it is supranational; as it has the power of initiation, implementation, management of finance and external relations. Margaret Thatcher’s famous statement addressing the EU spotlights the supranational intentions of the European Commission, ‘The President of the Commission, Mr Delors, said at a press conference the other day that he wanted…. the Commission to be the... No! No! No!’7 Eurosceptics further dislike the institution as it is too big, expensive, has too little public accountability, and an undemocratic process of appointment as no elections are

Alternatives such as the European Union, which remains “…the most successful experiment in political institution-building since the Second World War.” Andrew Moravcsik goes on to say the EU cannot replace or aspire to the democratic status of nation states, yet their role remains embedded in monitoring accountability and extensive checks and balances upon its member states. Emerging actors such as the EU again demonstrate the changing environment and clearly indicate realist theories, must by reconsidered.

Accession of new members from Eastern Europe into the union is possible only through good governance, effective institutions, and quality democracy. Good governance creates effective institutions. These institutions produce quality democracy. Established member states want a democratic sub-continent which will support expansion towards Eastern Europe. Next I evaluate the literature in order to establish whether EU institutions have the real power to impact the quality of democracy in Eastern European and Balkan members in order to support EU expansion.

The claims that within the EU there is a democratic deficit, because there are extensive powers being accumulated by institutions that appear to lack a satisfactory level of legitimacy, are cogent. The question of is there a democratic deficit within the EU, despite having dominated many political debates since the 70s, is prominent in today 's society now more than ever as a result of the UKs decision to leave the union, consequently causing the world to develop an growing interest in the European Union and its qualities. Despite being a relatively common question, it is important to understand exactly what the EU is and what is meant by the term ‘democratic deficit’. The European Union was formed after World War 2 and stands today as a politico-economic Union made up of 28 countries who exercise their power over European institutions and operate as a single market for trade allowing for the free movement of goods, services, capital and people between member states. More so, the term democratic deficit in relation to the EU refers to the belief that not all European citizens are equally represented politically by the government responsible for doing so and questioning the legitimacy of those within the EU with power.

What is termed ‘second-order voting’ (Bromley, 2001) implies that a weakness in the linkage between elections and representation, which reduces the level of accountability, thus creating what many would view as a significant democratic deficit which is unnecessary. This linkage can be improved which would strengthen the legitimacy of the European Parliament. However, even the most representative and legitimate European Parliament could be ineffective in ensuring levels of democracy if its abilities and powers within the framework of the European Union are weak in comparison to other EU institutions. The electorate does not directly elect the Council of Ministers and European Council.

The EU has often been indicted with having a ‘democratic deficit’ due to its supposed lack of adherence to democratic principles. In order to determine whether this is true, and the European Union is democratic enough, it is necessary to establish the meaning of the word ‘democratic.’ Democracy can mean different things in various contexts, often depending on the socioeconomic situation, political policies and structures of the country in question. However, Schmitter and Karl describe democracy as ‘a system of governance in which rulers are held accountable for their actions in the public realm by citizens.’ Beetham segregates the ideas of ‘political equality’ and ‘popular control’ whilst others such as Lively have asserted that

“Integration is a dynamic process, driven by a variety of forces and actors that, through their interactions, build and shape the institutional structure of the European Union.” This emergent political order was not an overnight, linear growth process but rather a “stop-go” system built on the steady development of a new political system with intergovernmental and supranational institutions and complex decision-making techniques. Fostered off the shared foundation for peace and unity, key integration players such as Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman were vital to the blueprints of integrative efforts with their respective contributions. While not perfect by nature, integration efforts have developed their individual advantages and