◄
NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY OR A EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY: WHICH WAY FORWARD IN THE FINANCIAL CRISIS?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Montesquieu Institute and the Information Office of the European Parliament and European Commission Representation in the Netherlands organized 7 December 2011 a debate on the selection strategy during the financial crisis in Europe. The debate was initiated by Dr. Daniel Mugge and was followed by a discussion based on a number of hypotheses on the subject.

Euro crisis: A crisis of democracy in Europe?

The European Union is in crisis and its outcome is unclear. Perhaps the EU Summit on 8 and 9 December will offer clarity, although at previous stops Europe and its citizens stayed often in the dark. While the Eurocrats in Brussels catacombs keep trying to solve this ever growing problem, especially among European citizens anger is growing. How did they come to this impasse? Their argument is as follows: If European officials and politicians had not pushed for an economic and monetary union, Europe today should not be burdened with a crisis.

At the time the European project, the biggest test so far to pass, thus stirring several national movements. National parliaments, trade unions and disgruntled citizens claim their voice in Brussels politics, where they once were happy to others deciding to leave.


Who would not disintegrating Europe, must find a balance in a difficult trade-off: narrowly defined national interests on the one hand, and acceptance of European political institutions, with all their imperfections, on the other. This includes criticism of the current pan-European democracy is often too far. The question is not whether a particular community - whether it's the Germans, the Greeks and the Dutch - can determine its own destiny or extradited to the vagaries of decision makers elsewhere in Europe.
In a globalized world, nations have long since their fate is no longer in control. Therefore, the impact of developments outside their borders too big. The closer we make decisions to citizens, the less impact these decisions will have on the world they live. The actual trade-off between the degree of direct representation, which can achieve a democratic body - its representativeness - and the extent to which the body can make a difference in the world - its effectiveness.

Seen from this approach perhaps the European Union do not suffer from a democratic deficit, but the national governments. In the year 2011, European citizens only achieved something together. For example, what gives the Italian people more control over its own socio-economic environment: a strong European democracy with all its shortcomings, or solely rely on the National Assembly without any interference in the affairs of the rest of Europe?

European democracy is far from perfect. But when it comes to European citizens to give a decisive role in Europe after the crisis, it is naive to think that leaning on national parliaments can improve the current situation. We did not return to the "every man for himself" principle, but a stronger pan-European representation of citizens interest. According Mugge sustainability must be accompanied by a stronger pan-European representation of citizen interests. "People have their own life and fate in hands. At the time the financial crisis will make people lose their jobs and pensions without them decide what to do. "The European Parliament, according Mugge European authority in a democratic way to defend this bourg interests. He argues for greater integration in Europe.
Asked how financial, economic and political sustainability can be obtained Mugge gave a comprehensive answer. Financial sustainability can be achieved according to him, by offering credit limit. "We have already taken measures to stabilize financial markets in order to get more and more but as long as credit is created the debts in Europe, only bigger." Economic sustainability can be obtained according to the teacher by the redistribution of taxes. Instead of taxing the consumer is Mugge that wealth should be taxed more.

"In times of crisis, the demand stimulated by high taxes on consumption, production will not happen." Political sustainability can only be created by Mugge, more power to be transferred to the European Union. The disintegration of the European Union is not an option, because "in the year 2011 alone, European citizens and governments together to achieve something."

After this introduction, the room is fully mixed into the debate: "How can the European Parliament than a lasting and democratic solution, this is still a European identity and a European language?" According Mugge this need not necessarily be the case but he is indeed for national referendums to have a greater role for Parliament to vote. Because people often see the EU as a 'far from my bed show' they tend to be more power for the EU to vote. Therefore, according Mugge very important that people in Europe, be aware that it really is better to make decisions collectively rather than individually, as a country can not solve the euro crisis.