L01

Question 1

1. The EU as a Political System

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Why Study the EU as a Political System?

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• The EU is not just an international organization but a political system with executive

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legislative

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• Unlike a nation-state

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it lacks sovereignty

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What is a Political System?

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A political system is a structure that:

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✔ Makes authoritative decisions affecting a defined population.

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✔ Has institutions that legislate and enforce rules.

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✔ Influences individual citizens

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businesses

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The EU meets these criteria

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though its structure is unique compared to nation-states.

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2. Evolution of the EU: From Economic to Political Union

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Stages of European Integration

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• Economic Cooperation (1950s–1980s)

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• ECSC (1951) and EEC (1957) focused on economic collaboration.

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• The EU initially aimed to prevent war and promote economic growth.

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• Expansion of Powers (1980s–1990s)

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• Single European Act (1986) → Strengthened economic integration.

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• Maastricht Treaty (1992) → Created the Euro

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expanded political influence.

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• The EU began legislating on non-economic issues (environment

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justice

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• Post-2000: Political and Social Challenges

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• Lisbon Treaty (2009) → Streamlined decision-making and increased EU Parliament powers.

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• Challenges: Eurozone crisis

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Brexit

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3. The EU’s Institutional Framework

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4. Theoretical Approaches to Understanding the EU

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1. Intergovernmentalism (Realist Perspective)

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• States are the main actors; EU institutions have limited autonomy.

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• National governments cooperate when it benefits them but keep sovereignty.

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• Example: Brexit → The UK chose to leave because sovereignty mattered more than cooperation.

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2. Supranationalism (Neofunctionalist Perspective)

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• EU institutions have gained independent power over time.

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• Economic integration leads to political integration (spillover effect).

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• Example: The Euro → Created for economic reasons but required political coordination (ECB

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budgetary rules).

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3. Multi-Level Governance

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• The EU is a hybrid system where power is distributed among multiple actors:

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• EU institutions (supranational).

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• National governments (intergovernmental).

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• Regional/local authorities (sub-national).

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• Example: EU environmental policy is influenced by EU directives

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national laws

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5. The Democratic Legitimacy Debate

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The EU’s “Democratic Deficit”

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❌ Lack of direct accountability – The Commission is not elected by citizens.

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❌ Complex decision-making – Citizens struggle to understand how policies are made.

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❌ Low voter turnout – EU Parliament elections see less participation than national elections.

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❌ Technocratic governance – Many decisions are made by bureaucrats rather than elected representatives.

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Possible Reforms to Increase Legitimacy

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✔ Strengthening the EU Parliament – Giving it more legislative power.

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✔ Electing the Commission President – Direct elections could increase democratic legitimacy.

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✔ More transparency – Making Council meetings public

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improving citizen engagement.

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6. Conclusion: The EU as a Unique Political System

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• The EU makes binding decisions like a state but lacks full sovereignty.

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• Its institutions blend intergovernmental and supranational elements.

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• Studying the EU as a political system helps explain:

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• Its institutional complexity.

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• Its decision-making process.

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• The challenges of governance and legitimacy.

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Summary of Key Points

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Final Thoughts

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Hix’s first chapter presents the EU as a unique hybrid political system that combines state-like governance with international cooperation. While the EU influences millions of people

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it faces structural