lecture 11

Question 1

how different grand theories conceptualize compliance with EU legal acts and address concerns about the democratic deficit (Liberal Intergovernmentalism)

Answer 1

Supranational Delegation: Legal acts are implemented and complied with through delegation to supranational institutions.
Legitimacy: Legitimacy for institutional power stems from the elections of member state governments, ensuring democratic input.

Question 2

how different grand theories conceptualize compliance with EU legal acts and address concerns about the democratic deficit (Differentiated Integration)

Answer 2

Opt-Outs and Exemptions: Compliance with legal acts is ensured through opt-outs and exemptions.
Legitimacy: Legitimacy for institutional power is derived from elections of member state governments and the European Parliament, offering democratic legitimacy.

Question 3

how different grand theories conceptualize compliance with EU legal acts and address concerns about the democratic deficit ((Neo)Functionalism)

Answer 3

Supranational Institutions: Implementation and compliance with legal acts are assured by supranational institutions.
Legitimacy: Legitimacy for institutional power is provided by a constitutional framework, establishing democratic legitimacy.

Question 4

how different grand theories conceptualize compliance with EU legal acts and address concerns about the democratic deficit (Postfunctionalism)

Answer 4

Institutional Mismatch: Implementation and compliance with legal acts are complicated by an institutional mismatch, leading to politicization.
National Identities: National identities are mobilized, questioning the legitimacy of institutional power, creating challenges for compliance.

Question 5

According to Max Weber three sources of legitimacy of power:

Answer 5

• Charismatic authority, which provides legitimacy by the charisma of the office-holder (i.e. religious leadership).
• Traditional authority, which results from the tradition of a society (i.e., monarchy)
• Rational/legal authority, where the power of the government is defined by procedures, principles and law, often defined in complex constitutional treaties (i.e., representative democracy).

Question 6

how systems are legitimised

Answer 6

Input legitimacy → elections
Output legitimacy → economic performance
Throughput → policy making

*EU increased throughput legitimacy through introduction and expansion of application of co-decision procedure
→ parliament has only shared (bicameral) and partial (veto) power

Question 7

Democratic Deficit Criticism

Answer 7

EU lacks sufficient democratic legitimacy
–> EU’s legitimacy is based mainly on its economic output (like creating a common market), and this is seen as less legitimate compared to the democratic systems of its member states.

Question 8

Legitimacy in Member States

Answer 8

stems from:
- Input : This includes things like elections and citizen participation.
- Output : How well the government delivers on its promises and governs effectively.
- Throughput : The process of governance itself, which involves the functioning of political parties and other institutions.

Question 9

Power Distribution in Party Government

Answer 9

• Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems
• Majoritarian vs. Consensus Systems
• Single vs. Multi-party Governments

Question 10

Control of Executive Power

Answer 10

In parliamentary systems;
- executive power checked horizontally by the legislature and judiciary
- checked vertically by different levels of government in federal systems
- voters hold gov accountable through elections

Question 11

Technocracism and Compliance

Answer 11

1. larger legislative core –> when group is bigger, less chance they’re overruled, more technocracism
2. non-compliance risk –> in a larger and more integrated EU, higher risk for non compliance. –> parliament give informal approval to rules to avoid conflict over enforcement
3. ECJ –> power depends on member state’s preferences. if MS are clear about what rules they prioritis, ECJ influence is limited