EU & its citizens(Chapter 5)

EU & its citizens II

Citizens– Public opinion about EU (55.1,100;65.2, 98)– One copy of Eurobarometer 78

Opinion about EU influenced by Eurozone membership?

EU & its citizens III

Why is the EU not that popular?1. Eu is fairly young (1957 1992 now)

2. Eu does not seem to heed public opinion

3. PR did not always work out well

4. “Knowledge deficit” (55.2, 104;65.3, 101)

EU & its citizens IV

Democratic deficit? Gap between EU power and citizen’s

influence– Council takes autonomous decisions– Commission is not held accountable– Meetings of the Ministerial Councils are

closed– EP has only limited power– Court of Justice: no control by EP who is

appointed

EU & its citizens V

What are the effects on EU’s population? – More migration– Tourism– Recognition of qualifications– Education (LLP, Erasmus+)– But large psychological barriers

EU & its citizens VI

Assignment (discuss + 5 pros/cons)

1. The EU should listen more carefully to its citizens and do what the majority wants

2. The democratic deficit in the EU is

worse than in its Member states

3. In the interest of the EU citizens, Greece should be forced to leave the Eurozone