Future of the European Union: Problems Legitimacy, Constitutionalisation, and the Ultimate Goal of European Integration

Abstract

One of the pivotal issues the European Union is trying to solve right now is the link between identity, legitimacy and political order in Europe. This study argues that the Union will have to strike a balance between democracy and efficiency while reshaping its institutional structure, as it can only secure the allegiances of European peoples if it is deemed to be useful and successful by its citizens, while accomplishments would only be regarded as satisfactory when the process is legitimate and democratic. This study illustrates that the Draft Constitution adopts the option of maintaining the essence of the status quo as regards the institutional structure. The democratic and political deficits of the Union need to be bridged by innovative approaches which are compatible with the unique qualities of the Community method. The European Union constitutes a novel type of polity which necessitates original approaches to issues such as democracy, legitimacy and politics.

Keywords

Constitution of the European Union, Convention on the Future of Europe, Constitutionalisation in the EU, Democratic Legitimacy, Democratic Deficit in the EU

Citation

Baykal, Sanem, “Future of the European Union: Problems Legitimacy, Constitutionalisation, and the Ultimate Goal of European Integration”, International Relations, Volume 1, Issue 1 (Spring 2004), pp. 119-153.

Affiliations

• Sanem Baykal, Assistant Professor Dr., Ankara University, Faculty of Law, Department of European Union Law