Europe of the Elites vs. Europe of the Citizens Cover Image

Европа на елитите vs. Европа на гражданите
Europe of the Elites vs. Europe of the Citizens

Author(s): Ivajla Stoeva
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Political Theory, Politics and society
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: EU Politics; EU Democracy; EU Institutions; Citizens
Summary/Abstract: А challenge for the development of the EU is the growing gap between the will of the elites (economic, political and bureaucratic) to deepen the integration and the concern of the citizens who increasingly feel underrepresented in the EU. As a result, there is asymmetry between power and (il)legitimacy which could be overcome if Europe could be built from the ‘bottom’ i.e., with a collective identity based on a dialogue and disagreement yet reaching a consensus on the key characteristics of the Europe and its citizens.