Democracy by Delegation? Who Represents Whom and How in European Governance

Abstract

The democratic legitimacy of European governance is often said to rest on its ‘output’. However, such arguments also make the implicit ‘input’ claim that the Community Method and New Modes of Governance offer a more participatory and deliberative style of democratic politics, that are best suited to ‘represent’ the European interest. We test such claims by analysing them from three different perspectives: functional, societal and delegative. We conclude that they are grounded on a ‘substantive’ conception of representation, in which the agents of European governance ‘stand’ or ‘act’ for the European public. However, such claims are empty without formal processes of authorisation and accountability that ensure European governance effectively promotes the democratic values of political equality and responsiveness.

Keywords: EU, Governance, Democracy, Delegation, Representation