How democratic is the European Union?

One of the constant arguments raised by critics of the EU is that it is “undemocratic”. Those arguing for the UK to vote to leave in the June referendum present it as an opportunity to hand control of British affairs back to the British parliament, the only body with a mandate to make decisions for the country.

On the face of it, the EU has a democratic structure. The European Commission is not elected but it is fully accountable to the European Parliament. And all the EU member states are represented in the Council of Ministers. But does that make it democratic or does it have, as some argue, a democratic deficit?

The author concludes: 'all in all, the EU is, or is at least working to be, a democratic organisation. It has its failings but national governments have just as many – if not more'.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 21.06.16: Is the EU really run by unelected bureaucrats? http://bit.ly/28JEThz

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