session 4

Question 1

what is input legitimacy?

Answer 1

government BY the people implies that collectively binding decisions should originate from the authentic expression of the preferences of the constituency in question

Question 2

what is output legitimacy?

Answer 2

government FOR the people implies that collectively binding decisions should serve the common interest of the constituency

Question 3

why do some argue the EU is in a democratic deficit?

Answer 3

unless people possess a sense of belonging to a single pan-European people, a pan-European democracy will NOT produce a system of popular self-rule but rather a system where certain groups of people rule over others

Question 4

what is the no demos thesis?

Answer 4

the EU does not possess a singular people, therefore making a democracy or government “of” the people “by” itself an illusion

Question 5

what are some differences between input and output legitimacy?

Answer 5

key difference lies in the wording of input legitimacy emphasizing the participation OF the people in democracy, whereas output legitimacy emphasizes whether the decisions serve citizens (FOR the people)

Question 6

what is the “demoi” cratic nature of the EU?

Answer 6

the EU consists of a demoi of the member states where they all must encourage mutual recognition and cooperation so none dominate over another

Question 7

what are the main arguments in saying the EU is not in a democratic deficit?

Answer 7

democratic rights in the EU are mostly protected and secured by national law; the EU features all defining features of democratic rule; has developed forms of public control, political equality and justification that do not depend entirely on national executives