During the European Parliament elections the expression
European cooperation was used very
often in political discussions. But the elections were more than about cooperation
– it was about the future integration. Difference is that integration means to
be part of an integrated system with shared values, way of thinking and common
rules. Integration is about that more common decisions can be taken on European
level in order to solve common changes and problems with greater resources and
impact. Integration also includes the values, loyalties and relations between the
citizens on one side and the member states and the EU on the other side.
European integration means to think what is good, not only for member states but
also for the Union itself.
Historically seen EU has achieved more than any other international,
intergovernmental or supranational institution. Since the creation of the
European Cool and Steel Union both European peoples and states have in
different degrees and at different moments been tightened and integrated more with
each other. In many ways by integrating themselves the European member states
are today sharing and pooling their sovereignty
so much that when many critics talk about the wrongdoings of the supranational behaviours
or globalization often the aspects that are discussed are obsolete since the perception
of the sovereignty has changed. To share and have a common currency,
laws, free movement for citizens and common foreign policy was among
many Europeans unthinkable 30, 40, 50 or 60 years ago. Today such
developments are more or less necessary for states and societies in order to be
able to function in a global and post-national world. And no, things in Europe
was not better before as among others many European nationalists argue for. More integration in certain areas is needed in order to solve the current crisis and to create a better future - not
a better past.
European democracy. In the Union of
today it is important for the individual to have stronger political rights and abilities
for influencing the political power above the national level.
Union needs reforms for the future which are needed in
order to decrease the bureaucracy and push more focus on where the Union can work
more effectively. Reforming the Union means not only to push powers down to the Member States but also to integrate more and push the powers up. Good example is forming the European Banking Union and more
investments for labour mobility as direct lessons learned from the crisis. However
the future integration needs to be more transparent and democratically
legitimized. Many citizens are not convinced or sceptical regarding more integration
even if the recent crisis are still showing on how much the Member States are actually
depending on each other. For that it is
necessary to increase the political statement of the citizens and stronger
political identity towards the Union. After all the debate should not be as Yes or No to Europe, it should be more
about which Europe we want to have.
The frustration or disappointment on how the Union is functioning
is not only among citizens that are against or sceptic to more integration but
also among the citizens who want to see a more integrated Union. The
challenge which Europe is facing is that the world and especially the economy is global while
democracy is still most effective on the nation-state level. For
example as Swedish citizen I can influence the power on local, regional and
national level. But as European citizen my right and ability to influence power
on European level is still limited to the European Parliament or the European
Citizen Initiative.
Proposals for
making the Union more democratic
To create more democracy on European level is not
impossible. It is not written in stone that democracy has to be only fully effective
in the frame of the nation-state. Democracy is about giving rights to citizens
to influence more power and create their own political identities. Many European citizens are after all sharing values and political opinions around the Union. Some of the
inspiration is taken from USA and Canada where federalism has developed through
centuries regarding the separation of powers between the federal and state
level. Even in India with 23 formal languages and big cultural diversity there is a
strong separation of powers.
So in order to do more for European democracy
following could be done in the future:
1. To give more influence to national parliaments
regarding implementation of European polices. The proposals from Commission, Council
and the EP need to be legitimized even by the national parliaments. It also
means that members of national parliaments are going to need to be more aware
about European politics in general and by that way provide a direct link between
the Union and citizens who have voted for their MP:s.
2. To develop better media coverage of European politics.
Brussels is not far away - it is the political capital of Europe. There should
be more media as Euronews in order to
provide more perspectives and information about the Union. Citizens in Europe need to know more
about political developments in the Union, among other things which political
groups are represented at the EP.
3. To stop the flying
circus between Brussels and Strasbourg and to reduce high wages and benefits
for parts of the EU-administrative corps. The populists in Europe should not
be given right to argue about the elite against
the people and concentration of all EU institutions in the same city would
not only save money but also reduce CO2 emission. It also would send a strong
signal that Union can be reformed.
4. To establish possibility for a directly or partly
directly elected European Commission. EP is a ground for future democratic development
and democratically elected Commissioners should be individuals who can prove
more that they are the right persons for the job by being more connected to the
citizens.
