The European Parliament: Moving toward Democracy in the EU (Governance in Europe Series) - Hardcover

This volume represents a broad and comprehensive empirical and analytical overview of recent trends in relation to the evolution of the European Parliament. It is well-research and well-written, presenting a methodical and convincing argument. The extensive use of models, surveys, and empirical data strengthens the weight of the argument and succeeds in challenging many commonly and widely held beliefs about the EP. * Journal of Contemporary European Studies *

Exploring the European Union's 'democratic deficit,' this book traces the halting development of parliamentary democracy at the European level. Arguing that the key actor in this crucial process is the European Parliament, the contributors concentrate on two of the classic functions of a parliament: the legislative and the representative. The contributors analyze the ongoing tensions between party orientations and national loyalties, between national parties and European party groups, and between representatives at the national and regional level.