LECTURE 6

   

   A EUROPEAN UNION FOR CITIZENS TO IDENTIFY WITH: FEDERALISM AND SUBSIDIARITY

   

   

   -        Examine just what kind of European Union that citizens would `identity' with

   -          suggest that a European Union moving towards a federal system based on subsidiarity
   is the model mostly likely to assist and promote the development of a European Union `citizen
   identity'

   

   



   



   a)  FUNCTIONALISM

   - the functions of different elements of societies would encourage and produce co-operation
   and integration.

   

   b)     NEO-FUNCTIONALISM

   -      based on principle of `spillover' (as integration occurs in one area/sector of the E.U.
   the benefits would `spillover' into other sectors, and produce integration in them).

   

   

   

   

   LECTURE 6

   

   A EUROPEAN UNION FOR CITIZENS TO IDENTIFY WITH: FEDERALISM AND SUBSIDIARITY

   

   - the `functions of integration' in the EU will produce greater co-operation between member
   States, organisations and citizens

   -      and ultimately `spillover' into the production of a Federal EU and EU citizen identity.

   

                                            - FEDERALISM

   3 MAIN ASSUMPTIONS:

   a)    societies are complex and diverse;

   b)    societies are pluralistic

   c)     since societies are diverse and pluralistic, institutions which protect diversity and
   autonomy, but which produce unity, are required.

   

   - a Federal framework for the European Union would:

   -     protect minorities and minority interests;

   -     prevent the growth of a strong centralised power;

   -     lead to the peaceful integration of conflicting interests;

   -     help solve societal problems at the level of government (local, regional, national,
   supranational) that was most suited to the particular problem or issue

   LECTURE 6

   

   A EUROPEAN UNION FOR CITIZENS TO IDENTIFY WITH: FEDERALISM AND SUBSIDIARITY

   

   - institutionally a Federal European Union would provide the necessary freedom, autonomy and
   identity for the diverse societies in the EU,

   -      at the same time it would provide for and encourage co-operation and conflict
   resolution -- and promote a common EU citizen identity

   

   

   -      The establishment of a Federal European Union, with supra-national structures at the
   centre, must be counterbalanced by a `Europe of the Regions'

   -      in which there is a shift of decision-making to smaller, intermediary groups that are
   involved in dealing with complex social demands concerning policy and public action (related
   to EU citizens' everyday lives).

   

   

   - Despite current fears of a certain type of Federal Europe amongst the EU populations, and
   its seeming unpopularity, if it were properly and fully constituted and operated this does
   seem to be the EU model that is most likely to produce EU citizen identity

                        - a federal European Union, based on the principles of `subsidiarity' and
   a `Europe of the Regions'