Acceso usuarios
Constanze Semmelmann
The present paper starts by skerching the European Union (EU)'s democracy problems mar have aggravaret in light of the euro area crisis, the unprecedented complexiity of the (re-)distributive issues involved and the role of non-majoritarian institutions. Againsr this backdrop, it seeks to direct attention to issues that serve as preconditions for effective decision and policy making in a community of diverse composition, namely a sense of belonging to this cornmuniity, This will be referred to as the 'culruralist' argument throughout the paper. Concerning the Economic and Monerary Union (EMU) and the ongoing correction of design flaws,me article will argue thar the allocation of powers does not only have to meet functional criteria (which will be referred to as rhe 'functional-rationalist' argurnent), bur is also to be supported by EU cirizens in a less technical sense. It is submitted thar this support can be facilirated by developing múltiple identities based on multiple allegiances of citizens that combine both the acceptance of powers of their states and of the powers assigned to the EU. Both sorts of identities are functionally different and are to be distinguished on the basis of the transnational element involved. In order to shape multiple identities in a sustainable fashion which are meant to legitimize political authority, the outright recognition of diversity within the EU appears indispensable.
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