Exploring the EU’s Legitimacy Crisis: The Dark Heart of Europe

Exploring the EU’s Legitimacy Crisis: The Dark Heart of Europe
ISBN-10
1784717851
ISBN-13
9781784717858
Pages
296
Language
English
Published
2016-11-25
Publisher
Edward Elgar Publishing
Author
Christian Schweiger

Description

Exploring the EU’s Legitimacy Crisis provides a profound analysis of the causes and the consequences of the EU's growing legitimacy problem. The prior permissive consensus in the EU has been markedly declining under persistent crisis conditions. Since the onset of the eurozone crisis the EU's governance has been narrowly driven by the semi-hegemonial leadership of Germany – manifesting itself in functionalist and technocratic policy reforms concentrated on strengthening economic governance coordination. Other crucial policy areas have been neglected as member states show decreasing solidarity and a growing emphasis on national interests in response to mounting external challenges. This book examines these developments in detail by scrutinising the EU's ability to maintain legitimacy through political leadership, democratic accountability and governance efficiency.