Simon Hix on Democracy in Europe and a brief Comment - commentaires

Simon Hix on Democracy in Europe and a brief Comment

Niels,

With regards your categorisation of, « core countries », could you please explain to me precisely what the difference would be between this and actually comprising, in essence, a provide of one new super-country/state ?

From the noises Merkozy are making ; being part of the Eurozone, in the very near future, will in effect be to concede all sovereignty and be amalgamated as 'part' of a single new nation.

– Simon

Simon Hix on Democracy in Europe and a brief Comment

A two speed Europe, might be the only solution. But it also has to regain popular support and be based on democratic institutions, or else it will surely fail like the Soviet Union did.

EU should consist of Core-countries and of Rim-countries, thus creating a federal room and a confederal room in the European house.

To become a Core-country, you would have to be part of a much more integrated euro-zone with a common economic and financial government. This government should be formed from a majority in the European Parliament, only Core-countries would have elected representatives in this new powerful European Parliament.

Rim-countries would only have a vote in the EU-Council, but wouldn't have any seats in the European Parliament. After all, Rim-countries such as Britain and Denmark have opt-outs on critical parts of the EU-project and shouldn't interfere in the governing of the Core-countries.

This would add much needed democratic legitimacy to the EU-project and stabilize Europe's future economic growth.

Simon Hix on Democracy in Europe and a brief Comment

Hi Asymeric. That was a good idea. I found a more current video of him, so I chose the latter.

Thank you nevertheless, Vincent

Simon Hix on Democracy in Europe and a brief Comment

Here is a very interesting presentation by Simon Hix to illustrate this article : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qu6SogtOa0