SUMMARY INTRODUCTION TO
EUROPEAN GOVERNANCE
,LITERATURE
The summary consists of the following literature:
1. Lecture 1 Introduction: Preface Lelieveldt/Princen + opinion piece of Alberto Alemanno
2. Lecture 2 Theorizing European integration and politics: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 1 + 2 & European
Green Deal
3. Lecture 3 European Integration and politics: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 1 + 2
4. Lecture 4 An institutional anatomy of the EU: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 3 + 4
5. Lecture 5 Citizen Participation: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 5 + 7
6. Lecture 6 Interest representation the case of ‘big…’: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 6
7. Lecture 7 Why and how issues reach the European agenda: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 8 + 9
8. Lecture 8 EU decision-making between The Hague and Brussels: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 10
9. Lecture 9 Implementation in the EU: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 11 + Groenleer (2014) article
10. Lecture 10 The Europe of the regions: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 8 + Michael W. Bauer & Tanja A.
Börzel (blz. 253-263)
11. Lecture 11 The EU in the world: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 8 + Hylke Dijkstra & Sophie Vanhoonacker
(2016)
12. Lecture 12 Conclusion of the course: Lelieveldt/Princen chapter 12
,LECTURE 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
RULE OF LAW CASE: OPINION PIECE ALBERTO ALEMANNO
The article discusses the need for a radical rethink of the European Union's (EU) membership model,
particularly in the context of potential expansion to include countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, and others in
the western Balkans. The EU leaders are realizing that the current "set menu" approach to membership is
failing, and a more flexible "à la carte" approach is necessary.
The article highlights the inadequacies and strains in the EU's internal structures, exacerbated by crises like the
eurozone crisis, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and conflicts such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The EU's
inability to reform its structures has led to muddling through with emergency measures and a lack of
democratic scrutiny, making it vulnerable to member states' national agendas.
With the prospect of expanding to nine new states, including Ukraine, the article argues that the EU must
undergo significant internal reforms to avoid destabilizing decision-making in Brussels and derailing major
policy areas like agriculture. The next enlargement is seen as an opportunity for the EU to become strategically
independent and capable of leading on global challenges like the climate emergency.
Two parallel initiatives are mentioned: one from the European Parliament calling for treaty reform, and the
other from the "Group of 12," proposing sweeping structural reforms with a four-tier system of membership,
including an inner circle with closer ties than existing EU members, the EU itself, associate membership, and a
looser tier of the new European Political Community.
The article suggests that a more pragmatic, "à la carte" approach to expansion would allow prospective
members to choose the degree of integration suitable for their needs. This could also open the possibility for
current members to reconsider their commitment to the EU. The focus is on moving away from the traditional
"all-or-nothing" paradigm to a more flexible system that benefits both candidate countries and existing EU
residents.
Reflect on the following questions (in preparation of class):
- What are the main challenges and criticisms highlighted in the article regarding the current state of
the European Union's governance model? How have recent events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic
and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, exposed these challenges?
- The article talks about changing the way countries join the European Union. Can you explain what this
means? What might be advantages and disadvantages about this change, both for countries already in
the EU and those trying to join?
- The article mentions the rule of law. Why is this important in the European Union, and why is it
causing arguments, especially with some countries like Poland and Hungary? How could the changes
the article talks about affect the rule of law in the EU?
Some answers:
- Decision-making and cooperation challenges
- Inadequate structures and systems
- National agendas undermining EU unity
- Flexibility on one hand, power struggles on the other
- Fairness and trust between member states
- Harder to agree on the rules with different membership levels
,The EU in terms of policy, polity, and politics: the EU is a political and economic union of member states that
are located primarily in Europe. It operates as a supranational organization, meaning that it has authority and
decision-making power that goes beyond the national governments of its member states. Here’s how the EU
can be understood in terms of policy, polity, and politics:
1. Policy:
o Common policies: the EU develops and implements common policies in various areas to
achieve shared objectives. These policies cover a wide range of issues, including, trade,
competition, agriculture, fisheries, regional development, and more.
o Single market: the EU has created a single market, allowing for the free movement of goods,
services, capital, and people among its member states. This promotes economic integration
and cooperation.
2. Polity:
o Supranational governance: the EU has its own institutions and governance structures that
operate at a supranational level. Key institutions include the European Commission (executive
body), European Parliament (legislative body), Council of the European Union (representing
the member state governments), and the European Council (consisting of heads of state or
government).
o Legal system: the EU has its own legal system, and its laws and regulations take precedence
over national laws in certain areas. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) interprets and ensures
the application of EU law.
3. Politics:
o Decision-making: decision-making in the EU involves complex negotiations and interactions
between its institutions. The European Parliament, Council, and Commission all play roles in
shaping and approving legislation.
o Member state dynamics: the EU operates in a political context where member states have
varying interests and priorities. Balancing these interests is a crucial aspect of EU politics.
o Enlargement and integration: the EU’s politics also involve discussions about enlargement,
with candidate countries seeking to join the union. This process requires negotiations and
assessments of whether candidate countries meet the necessary criteria.
Interests and powers in the EU
different interests represented by different institutions:
- Member states (MS)
- Union at large
- Citizens of the EU
Different powers allocated over different institutions:
- Executive: giving political direction, implementing policies, representing the EU externally.
- Legislative: examining, modifying, adopting legislation.
- Judicial: interpretation of EU law, adjudication of conflicts.
Making sense of the institutional framework:
- Shared executive and legislative functions
- Policymaking requires cooperation among bodies with different interests
- Not presidential, not parliamentary either
,- More consensual than majoritarian decision-making
, LECTURE 2 + LECTURE 3 THEORIZING EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND POLITICS
CHAPTER 1 THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE EU
THE ORIGINS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
After the two World Wars, Europe was divided into two spheres of influence: a communist Eastern zone and a
liberal democracy Western part. Three different types of cooperation emerged as a result of the growing risk of
the Soviet Union trying to expand its influence:
- Military cooperation found its beginnings in initiatives for a common defense such as the Western
European Union (WEU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
- Political cooperation emerged via organizations such as the Council of Europe.
- Economic cooperation took root via the Organization for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) and
Benelux.
Supranational organization = organizations in which countries pool their sovereignty on certain matters to
allow joint decision-making: member states hand over part of their sovereignty to a third, neutral party that
will supervise the execution of the terms of the treaty.
- Cooperation between Member state governments
- Through conference and treaties
- Involvement of member state politicians and officials in negotiations and bargaining
- ‘Grand bargains’: history-making decisions concerning policies with high national stakes.
Intergovernmental organizations = organizations in which member states work together on policies of
common concern but retain their full sovereignty.
- Beyond cooperation: integration in institutional terms, secretariat with autonomous capacities.
- Day-to-day administration (based on treaties) in between conferences.
- Role of bureaucratic organizations and their officials
The Schuman declaration marked the beginning of the EU. There were two things that were important in his
speech:
1. The plan was innovative because it proposed the institution of an impartial body (the High Authority)
that would be empowered to monitor and execute the agreement between the member states.
2. Cooperation would start on a small basis by first trying to manage the common market for coal and
steel limited scope.
In 1951 six countries signed the Treaty of Paris (European Coal and Steel Community, ECSC). The four main
institutions were:
1. A Council of Ministers, representing the member state governments, to co-decide on policies not
provided for in the Treaty.
2. A High Authority, consisting of independent appointees, acting as a daily executive making decisions
on the basis of the Treaty provision.
3. A Court of Justice, consisting of independent judges, to interpret the Treaty and adjudicate conflicts
between member states and the High Authority.
4. A Common Assembly, drawn from members of national parliaments, to monitor the activities of the
High Authority.
