Operating between the state and the supranational (the legislative system of the European Union)

Author: Liu Guanghua, Min Fanxiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The purpose of this book is to introduce the EU legislative and decision-making system, which encompasses various mechanisms for integrating different interests within the EU, to the readers. It aims to help them better understand the legislative functions of the EU, the factors influencing EU legislation and decision-making, and how interests are effectively integrated at the EU level during the process of European unification. The authors have long advocated for enhancing the legitimacy and transparency of the EU's legislative and decision-making processes, and for a united Europe to become a "more citizen-friendly Europe" and a "people's Europe." This has become a significant direction for the current reform of the EU legislative system. Given that existing research has lacked a focused discussion on the role and influence of ordinary citizens in the EU legislative and decision-making mechanisms, this book dedicates a chapter to this topic. The main content of the book is divided into four chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 primarily outline the main legislative institutions of the EU and the legislative and decision-making process at the EU level. Chapter 3 uses specific examples to illustrate the public factors influencing the role of member states in the EU legislative process, namely the ways in which ordinary citizens can participate in EU governance and their impact on EU legislation and decision-making.