Transparency and Political Participation in EU Governance: A Role for Civil Society?

Journal for Cultural Research, Volume 3, Issue 4, p. 445-471, doi: 10.1080/14797589909367178, published online 17 March 2009

Posted: 14 Dec 2017

See all articles by Deirdre Curtin

Deirdre Curtin

Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance; European University Institute, Department of Law, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies

Date Written: 1999

Abstract

This paper highlights the complex and fractured nature of EU governance, before examining various ways of introducing more light into the various dark recesses of current governance structures. The debate on transparency at the EU level is viewed through the prism of deliberative democracy and enabling more effective citizen participation in the governing processes. This model of democracy considers political participation by citizens in a broad sense which is not limited to participation in strictly political institutions (voting). From this perspective the ability of citizens to effectively participate in social dialogue, in the broad sense of the term, is a definite attribute of democracy. The ability to participate in social dialogue depends to a large extent on accessibility of information and accessibility of the dialogue itself. The role of advanced information technology is obvious. It not only facilitates access to relevant information crucial for will formation processes but also facilitates social dialogue among citizens. Some form of organized and networked 'active' citizenry is moreover required- aware, committed and potent. This paper will thus further argue that 'civil society' (defined as in any event embracing the not for profit, public interest sector) at the EU level has a special role to play in this regard and will explore in outline some possible means of institutionalising this role in the highly specific EU context.

Keywords: EU Governance, transparency, citizen participation, democracy, social dialogue, civil society

Suggested Citation

Curtin, Deirdre M. and Curtin, Deirdre M., Transparency and Political Participation in EU Governance: A Role for Civil Society? (1999). Journal for Cultural Research, Volume 3, Issue 4, p. 445-471, doi: 10.1080/14797589909367178, published online 17 March 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2394012

Deirdre M. Curtin (Contact Author)

European University Institute, Department of Law, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies ( email )

Via Bolognese 156 (Villa Salviati)
50-139 Firenze
Italy

HOME PAGE: http://www.eui.eu/DepartmentsAndCentres/Law/People/Professors/Curtin.aspx

Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance ( email )

P.O.Box 1030
Amsterdam, 1000 BA
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/d.m.curtin/

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