Chapter 11 The Institutions of the European Union

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Chapter 11The Institutions of the European Union

• Hussein Kassim

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The Institutions of the European Union

• EU institutions origins, structures and
  organisation
• EU institutions today
• EU institutions in theoretical perspective

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Introduction

• EU most successful and most complex international
  organisation
• EU is supranational
• Why did member states create supranational
  institution
• Give credibility to their commitments
• Protect against free-riding
• Minimise transaction costs
• Some state-like attributes, but with member
  states as key players within EU

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European Commission

• European Commission
• Legislative initiative
• Executive responsibilities
• Guardian of the treaties
• External representative

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Council of Ministers/European Council

• Council of Ministers
• Made up of member states
• Key legislator
• European Council
• Made up of heads of state or government
• Leadership role

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The European Parliament

• First direct elections in 1979
• Role growing in attempt to boost EU legitimacy
• Has become co-legislator
• Party groups play a key role

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The European Court of Justice

• Ultimate interpreter of Community law
• Responsibility to ensure that, in the
  interpretation and application of the treaty,
  the law is observed (Art. 220 TEC)
• ECJ rulings have played a major role in the
  constitutionalization of the EU

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EU Institutions Today

• Democratic deficit
• National governments keen to put limits on
  Commission power
• Continuity problem with 6-month rotation in
  Council
• EP powers remain limited, esp. in sensitive areas
  and in comitology
• ECJ faces criticism for being too pro-integration

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EU Institutions in Theoretical Perspective

• Intergovernmentalism vs. neofunctionalism
• Council hard inter-state bargaining, or shared
  norms and collective identity?
• EP
• Why have its powers increased?
• What role for EP parties?

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Conclusion

• EU provides opportunity for member states to
  respond to common problems
• Problems
• Opacity
• Political deadlocks
• Coordination
• Poor democratic credential