EU Democracy Deficit: Unpacking Challenges and Reforms
The European Union’s Democracy Deficit
The notion of a democracy deficit within the European Union has been widely used, referring to a variety of factors affecting the European democratic process. Before moving forward with a critical assessment of these factors, it is worth mentioning the origins of the concept of democracy and how the European Union has approached it since its inception.
Democracy: Origins and EU’s Representative Model
The term democracy comes from the Greek term demos (=people)
Read MoreCánovas Restoration Era: Political Structure and Electoral Practices
Features of the Cánovas Restoration System
The Cánovas Restoration system, a copy of the British model, was based on several key pillars:
The Monarchy: A Permanent Institution
For Cánovas, the King was a permanent institution whose role could not be questioned. His function was to act as a referee in political life, ensuring proper understanding and the peaceful alternation of power between political parties.
The Cortes: Backbone of the Nation
The Cortes (Parliament) were also considered a permanent
Read MoreKey Aspects of Spanish Constitutional History
Spanish Constitutions: A Comparative Analysis
The Constitution of 1812 is a summary of liberal ideas from the early Spanish period. It was created by individuals fighting the French, inspired by French principles. Key ideas include:
- The principle of national sovereignty.
- Division of legislative power between the courts (Cortes) and the king.
- The Cortes would be composed of representatives of citizens and organizations in a single chamber.
- Elections held by universal male suffrage, with income requirements
Indian Constitution Explained: Core Concepts & System
Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution is a written and extensive document, recognized as one of the longest in the world. It embodies a unique blend of rigidity and flexibility, allowing some parts to be easily amended while others require a special majority. India adopts a Parliamentary form of government, modeled after the British system. The Constitution establishes a federal system with a unitary bias, meaning powers are divided between the Centre and States, but
Read MoreDemocratization’s Realities and Economic Disparity
Democratization’s Complex Path: Challenging Five Assumptions
The transition from dictatorship to democracy is often fraught with challenges, defying common assumptions. This section examines five prevalent misconceptions about the democratization process.
1. From Dictatorship to Full Democracy?
The first assumption posits that any country with a dictatorship opposed by the majority of people can transition to a future democracy. However, many countries that moved away from dictatorships do not experience
Read MoreUnderstanding State Governance: Constitution, Elections, Parties
The Constitution: Foundation of State Law
The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state, often called “the law of laws.” It outlines:
- The structure of the territory
- Duties and rights of citizens
- Functioning of the legislature: Parliament
- Operation of the executive branch: Government
- Functioning of the judiciary: Constitutional Court
Division of Powers in the State
The state is divided into three powers, which must be independent to prevent abuses of power:
- Legislative: Develops and enacts laws (Parliament)