Democracy, Difference and Destabilisation in Europe and Beyond

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

In the last decade, the EU has confronted a significant destabilisation impetus of multiple origins and manifestations. That includes the financial crisis and the Eurozone governance crisis; the refugee crisis; the rise of xenophobic and nationalist movements in member states undermining standards of liberal democracy; and Brexit-spurred uncertainty and centrifugal pressures. In addition, the global situation is uncertain, with powerful actors seeking to undermine/weaken many of the international agreements and institutional arrangements that have marked the post-war global order.
The purpose of this panel is twofold: a) to take stock of the present situation and provide a form of ‘diagnosis’ of the current state of affairs; and b) to look for remedying actors and factors. The panel includes contributions that will draw on other cases to compare and contrast the EU with so as to get a clearer sense as to whether the EU’s problems and challenges – and rectifying measures – are unique to the EU or not.

Sub Unit

• Related Groups / French Politics Group

Cosponsor

• Division 15: European Politics and Society

Individual Presentations

• Between Differentiation and Federalization: Which Model for the EU? - Sergio Fabbrini, Luiss Guido Carli

• Political Consequences of Eurozone Governance and Democratic Legitimacy - Vivien A. Schmidt, Boston University

• Can Democracy Bounce Back? - John Erik Fossum, University of Oslo

• Spitzenkandidaten: The (Failed) Democratisation of EU Leadership Selection? - Thomas Christiansen, Luiss University

Chair

• Erik Jones European University Institute

Discussant

• Erik Jones European University Institute