Admission requirements
Admission to the Master EUS.
Description
This course deals with the democratic dimension of EU-decision making. The competences of the European Parliament have been extended through the subsequent revisions of the treaty. There seems to be consensus among politicians and scholars that the European integration has weakened the position of national parliaments. The Treaty of Lisbon, which is now in force, expands the competences of the European Parliament even further. However, the treaty also provides for a possible strengthening of the role of the national parliaments. The background of all these new provisions lays in a widely felt need to enhance the legitimacy of the integration process.
The main topics of the course are the following:
The parliamentary dimension of the European integration process in historical perspective. The development of the powers of the European Parliament and the position of the national (regional) parliaments in the light of the ‘constitutional balance’ of the European institutions.
The competences of the European Parliament and its working in practice.
The involvement of the national/regional parliaments in making EU- legislation and policy. The differences between these parliaments: structures, procedures, organisation and political practice.
The relations between the national parliaments and between the European Parliament and the national parliaments.
The relevant provisions in the treaties, in particular in the Treaty of Lisbon which (are meant to) expand the role of the national parliaments as guardians of the principle of subsidiary and proportionality: a critical assessment.
The future role of the European Parliament and the national parliaments in EU- affairs.
Course objectives
Students will acquire insight into the democratic dimensions of EU-decision making, the powers of the EU parliament and position of the national parliaments both from a historical perspective as well as the current situation. They will be familiar with the relations between them and the relevant provisions in the treaties.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Tutorial.
Assessment method
Essay and presentation.
Blackboard
Yes, see the site.
Registration
Via uSis.
See also: registration and admission requirements for the Master EUS.