A think-tank report examined the social, political, and economic challenges facing Europe and its citizens, in the context of the new European political cycle (2014-19), and discussed the priorities for the new European Union leadership.
Source: Laszlo Andor, Rosa Balfour, Janis Emmanouilidis, Heather Grabbe, Malcolm Harbour, Paul Ivan, Jo Leinen, Cecilia Malmstrom, George Pagoulatos, Maria Joao Rodrigues, Daniela Schwarzer, Radoslaw Sikorski, Alexander Stubb, Pawel Swieboda, Herman Van Rompuy, and Fabian Zuleeg, Challenges and New Beginnings: Priorities for the EU's new leadership, European Policy Centre (Brussels)
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Sep
A new book examined the evolution, institutions, decision-making, and day to day workings of the European Union, the interactions between the European Union and various actors, and associated topics including democratic deficit, politicization, the role of member states, institutional crisis, and citizen involvement.
Source: Olivier Costa and Nathalie Brack, How the EU Really Works, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Sep
An article examined the application of an information processing perspective to understanding policy dynamics in the European Union.
Source: Falk Daviter, 'An information processing perspective on decision making in the European Union', Public Administration, Volume 92 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Sep
A report outlined the Scottish Government's views on European Union reform and outlined its assessment of the impact on Scotland of the balance of competences between the European Union and the member states. It said that the Scottish Government valued Scotland's position within the EU and was committed to influencing the future direction of union. It said that the restoration of public confidence should be a key priority for the incoming European Commission and European Parliament, and should inform the strategic work programme of both institutions.
Source: Scotland's Agenda for EU Reform, Scottish Government
Date: 2014-Aug
An article examined supranational integration, examining top regional civil servants' preferences towards the European Commission. It said that inter-institutional relations, perceived benefits of integration, and region-specific identity characteristics contributed to, and accounted for, their preferences, which resonated with interest- versus value-based approaches to European Union integration.
Source: Michael Tatham and Michael Bauer, 'Support from below? Supranational institutions, regional elites and governance preferences', Journal of Public Policy, Volume 34 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Aug
A new book examined the proposed accession of the European Union to the European Convention on Human Rights, the reasons for accession, the means by which this would be achieved, and the effects that it would have.
Source: Johan Callewaert, The Accession of the European Union to the European Convention on Human Rights, Council of Europe
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Aug
A report examined how London's economy would be affected by four different scenarios related to the United Kingdom's relationship with Europe in 20 years' time. It said that forecasting undertaken for the report indicated that London would benefit most if the UK remained part of a reformed European Union, although the UK would see the same level of benefit if it left the EU but continued to conduct 'outward looking and positive' economic policies. The report outlined the reforms considered necessary, and discussed the conditions that would be needed in order to achieve the reforms.
Source: Gerard Lyons and Nicholas Garrott, The Europe Report: A win-win situation, Greater London Authority
Links: Report | Appendices | Summary | Mayor's speech | BBC report | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2014-Aug
A special issue of a journal examined the co-ordination and control mechanisms used in European Union countries in reaction to shifts in competences (upwards, sideways, and downwards) away from national governments. Articles examined related definitions and concepts, links between the mechanisms and broader political systems, how central governments coped with power dispersion, and the implications for the functioning of democracy in Europe.
Source: Journal of European Public Policy, Volume 21 Issue 9
Links: Table of contents
Notes: Articles included:
Dorte Sindbjerg Martinsen and Ayca Uygur Wessel, 'On the path to differentiation: upward transfer, logic of variation and sub-optimality in EU social policy'
Christel Koop and Martin Lodge, 'Exploring the co-ordination of economic regulation'
Michael Tatham and Michael Bauer, 'Competence ring-fencing from below? The drivers of regional demands for control over upwards dispersion'
Date: 2014-Jul
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on reforming the system of scrutiny of European Union decision-making.
Source: Reforming the Scrutiny System in the House of Commons, Cm 8914, House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee, TSO
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2014-Jul
An article examined the notion of territorial governance in Europe, and considered whether it was different to general concepts of governance and multi-level governance. Three specific characteristics were suggested that might distinguish territorial governance from other types of governance: managing territorial dynamics; assessing territorial impacts; and delineating policy boundaries.
Source: Dominic Stead, 'The rise of territorial governance in European policy', European Planning Studies, Volume 22 Issue 7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jul
A paper examined the United Kingdom government's review of the competences of the European Union. The paper focused on the second set of reviews published by the government, which covered the single market for goods, external trade, transport policy, environment, climate change, research, asylum, non-European Union immigration, civil judicial co-operation, tourism, culture and sport. It said that the European Union had shown the United Kingdom flexibility in agreeing special arrangements in some areas, while in others there was a good fit between United Kingdom priorities and European Union policies, and said there was little or no case for repatriation of European Union competences at the level they were defined in the treaties.
Source: Michael Emerson, Steven Blockmans, Steve Peers, and Michael Wriglesworth, British Balance of Competence Reviews, Part II: Again, a huge contradiction between the evidence and Eurosceptic populism, European Policy Institutes Network
Links: Paper
Date: 2014-Jun
A report provided a collection of papers that aimed to clarify the nature of the crises affecting the European Union, what actions the EU had taken to govern the crises, and how the EU and member states had been changed in the process.
Source: John Erik Fossum and Agustin Jose Menendez (eds), The European Union in Crises or the European Union As Crises?, Centre for European Studies (University of Oslo)
Date: 2014-Jun
A private member's Bill was published that was designed to repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and to enable the Secretary of State to repeal any enactment which had been a consequence of the European Communities Act 1972.
Source: European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, Lord Pearson of Rannoch, TSO
Links: Bill
Date: 2014-Jun
An article examined the prospect of a constituent part of a European Union member state attaining independence. Making reference to the forthcoming independence referendum in Scotland, as well as a new sub-state nationalism arising in other European states, it said that the EU must find a way to proceed with issues raised by internal enlargement, without resorting to the expulsion of emerging new states.
Source: Daniel Kenealy, 'How do you solve a problem like Scotland? A proposal regarding "internal enlargement"', Journal of European Economic Integration, Volume 36 Issue 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jun
A new book examined the aims of European integration, and the method of integration employed in designing monetary union.
Source: Giandomenico Majone, Rethinking the Union of Europe Post-Crisis: Has integration gone too far?, Cambridge University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-May
A report by a committee of MPs said that an independent Scotland was unlikely to have its application to join the European Union accepted within the timetable, or with the terms, that the Scottish Government was proposing. It said that Scotland would have an interim period outside the European Union, with uncertain interim arrangements. The committee said that the Scottish Government's view that Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union could be used to provide for Scottish membership was not supported by any other EU state, senior EU figures, or the United Kingdom Government (which would, under this process, have to initiate it). The report warned of possible consequences in policy areas such as student fees, criminal justice, and VAT, and the loss to Scotland of the UK's EU budget rebate. It said that the Scottish Government needed to provide Scottish voters with a more realistic alternative perspective of how joining the European Union would be achieved, and what its likely terms and timetable would be.
Source: The Referendum on Separation for Scotland: Scotland's membership of the EU, Twelfth Report (Session 2013–14), HC 1241, House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Commission press release | BBC report
Date: 2014-May
An article examined the relationship between the European Union's ethical values and its spatial planning policy.
Source: Barrie Needham and Gerard Hoekveld, 'The European Union as an ethical community and what this means for spatial planning', European Planning Studies, Volume 22 Issue 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-May
A report by a committee of MSPs examined issues relating to Scotland's membership of the European Union following independence. The report examined evidence on three themes: an independent Scotland in the European Union; the road to membership and Scotland's representation in the EU; and small states in the EU. The committee concluded that the balance of evidence supported the principle of post-independence membership, and the evidence on the value to small states had, overall, been positive. It said that, although the debate had been furthered by the report, the committee also recognized the concerns of some witnesses regarding the lack of certainty about the process for membership, the complexity of the process, and the demanding timescales, as well as the contrasting views of some regarding the use of Article 48 as a legal route to membership, and the idea that membership could be agreed within eighteen months.
Source: Report on the Scottish Government's Proposals for an Independent Scotland: Membership of the European Union, 2nd Report 2014, SP Paper 530, Scottish Parliament European and External Relations Committee
Links: Report | Scottish Parliament press release
Date: 2014-May
The European Economic and Social Committee published its action plan for Europe. The plan was built on three 'pillars' to address perceived shortcomings of the European Union (an economic union, a social union, and a democratic and civic union). Proposals included greater economic and fiscal union, a new European social agenda, greater focus on social cohesion, stronger participatory democracy, and a focus on the fundamental rights of citizenship.
Source: An Action Plan for Europe, European Economic and Social Committee (European Union)
Links: Report
Date: 2014-May
A new book examined the use of referendums on European integration, arguing that the European Union was now faced with a 'direct democratic dilemma', compounded by constitutional and political contexts.
Source: Fernando Mendez, Mario Mendez, and Vasiliki Triga, Referendums and the European Union: A comparative inquiry, Cambridge University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-May
A paper examined the 2014 elections to the European Parliament, and considered the possible consequences of the ballot in eleven member states, including the United Kingdom. It said that European Union issues were often not evident in the election debates but, where they were, it was in the context of pro/anti European discussions. The paper discussed the predicted balance of seats in the European Parliament and the possible implications for different areas of policy, and for conflict between the member states. The paper contained individual sections on each of the eleven countries, in addition to the overarching discussion.
Source: Sonia Piedrafita and Anne Lauenroth (eds), Between Apathy and Anger: Challenges to the Union from the 2014 elections to the EP in member states, European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN)
Date: 2014-May
A new book examined the place of knowledge in contemporary policymaking in Europe, presenting empirical case studies of health and education policy in different national and international contexts.
Source: Richard Freeman and Steve Sturdy, Knowledge in Policy: Embodied, inscribed, enacted, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-May
A think-tank report said that the common view that voter apathy about the European Union was largely due to a lack of awareness or public ignorance was simplistic, and that there was no correlation between voter turnout and public interest in, or knowledge of, EU issues. The report said that boosting the role of national parliaments in European Union decision-making would move democratic accountability closer to voters, and made a range of proposals, including: for new powers for national parliaments to block European measures; for the limiting of 'co-decision'; and for reform of members' expenses.
Source: Stephen Booth and Christopher Howarth, The European Parliament: A failed experiment in pan-European democracy?, Open Europe
Links: Report | Open Europe press release
Date: 2014-May
A special issue of a journal examined the relationship between the widening and deepening of the European Union.
Source: Journal of European Public Policy, Volume 21 Issue 5
Links: Table of contents
Notes: Articles included:
R. Daniel Kelemen, Anand Menon, and Jonathan Slapin, 'Wider and deeper? Enlargement and integration in the European Union'
Sara Hobolt, 'Ever closer or ever wider? Public attitudes towards further enlargement and integration in the European Union'
Eva Heidbreder, 'Why widening makes deepening: unintended policy extension through polity expansion'
Date: 2014-May
An article examined the extent to which institutional differences and individual biases influenced citizens' attributions of responsibility in the European Union, across five policy areas.
Source: Sara Hobolt and James Tilley, 'Who's in charge? How voters attribute responsibility in the European Union', Comparative Political Studies, Volume 47 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Apr
A new book examined the future of Europe and the European Union. It argued that, although the EU would become deprived of many real powers, the economic interdependence and historic ties between European states would ensure continuing integration, and result in a 'revitalized Europe' led by major cities, regions, and powerful non-governmental organizations.
Source: Jan Zielonka, Is the EU Doomed?, Polity Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Apr
A new book examined the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union, arguing that the nature of the EU, and its level of accountability, was at odds with liberal civilisation.
Source: David Green, The Demise of the Free State: Why democracy and the EU don't mix, Civitas
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Apr
A think-tank paper discussed the relationship of the United Kingdom with the European Union, and the impact of EU membership on constitutional and legal powers.
Source: David Green, What Have We Done? The surrender of our democracy to the EU, Civitas
Links: Paper | Civitas press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2014-Apr
A special issue of a journal examined the role of political parties in Europe.
Source: West European Politics, Volume 37 Number 2
Links: Table of contents
Notes: Articles included:
Richard Rose, 'Responsible party government in a world of interdependence'
Maurizio Ferrera, 'Ideology, parties and social politics in Europe'
David Farrell, '"Stripped down" or reconfigured democracy'
Date: 2014-Apr
A report outlined/reviewed the activities and events of the European Council during 2013, including all European Council conclusions, statements, and reports.
Source: The European Council in 2013, European Union
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Mar
A report by a committee of peers said that national parliaments could and should contribute actively to the functioning of the European Union. The report highlighted five areas where effectiveness could be improved: in their scrutiny of their own activities on European Union matters; in dialogue between the national and EU level; in scrutinizing EU legislation (the 'reasoned opinion' procedure); in inter-parliamentary co-operation; and in economic and financial governance.
Source: The Role of National Parliaments in the European Union, Ninth Report (Session 2013–14), HL 151, House of Lords European Union Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Mar
A new book examined how citizens assigned blame to the European Union, whether and how politicians and the media attempted to shift blame, and the implications for electoral democracy.
Source: Sara Hobolt and James Tilley, Blaming Europe? Responsibility without accountability in the European Union, Oxford University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Mar
A report from the Scottish government set out its considerations on the balance of competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and its priorities for reforming European Union law and policy within the existing framework of the treaties. The report highlighted perceived benefits of Scottish European Union membership in policy areas such as: trade and investment; environment and climate change; and energy. It noted the complexities that arose from a United Kingdom-wide membership of the European Union alongside Scotland's devolved powers, and made recommendations for change.
Source: Scotland's Priorities for EU Reform, Scottish Government
Links: Report | Summary | Scottish Government press release
Date: 2014-Feb
The government published further reports from its ongoing review of the European Union's competences, and how they affected the United Kingdom, which the Foreign Secretary had launched in July 2012.
Source: Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Single Market – Free movement of goods, HM Revenue & Customs
Links: Report | Supplementary papers | FCO press release
Source: Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Asylum and non-EU migration, Home Office
Links: Report | Evidence | FCO press release
Source: Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Trade and investment, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Report | Supplementary papers | FCO press release
Source: Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Environment and climate change, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Links: Report | Supplementary papers | FCO press release
Source: Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Transport, Department for Transport
Links: Report | Evidence | FCO press release
Source: Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Research and development, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Report | Supplementary paper | FCO press release
Source: Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Culture, tourism and sport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Links: Report | Supplementary paper | FCO press release
Source: Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Civil judicial cooperation, Ministry of Justice
Links: Report | Supplementary papers | FCO press release
Date: 2014-Feb
A report by a committee of peers said that the four pillars of 'genuine economic and monetary union', as proposed by the European Commission (banking union, fiscal union, closer economic policy integration, and enhanced democratic oversight) presented both political and operational difficulties. The United Kingdom government had stated that it would not participate, but the report recommended that some elements of closer banking union should be considered in the future and that the government should be strongly involved in any plans. The committee would consider issues of democratic legitimacy and the role of national parliaments in a forthcoming report.
Source: Genuine Economic and Monetary Union and the Implications for the UK, 8th Report (Session 2013–14), HL 134, House of Lords European Union Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Feb
A paper examined the relationships between research and policy, at European Union level, on international migration.
Source: Andrew Geddes, Relationships between Research and Policy on Migration in the European Union: A practice-based analysis, Working paper EUI RSCAS 2014/06, European University Institute, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
Links: Paper
Date: 2014-Jan
A new book examined differentiated integration in the European Union, through an examination of legal constructs and policy aspects of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Common Security and Defence Policy, and the external dimension of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.
Source: Steven Blockmans (ed.), Differentiated Integration in the EU: From the inside looking out, Centre for European Policy Studies (Brussels)
Links: Book
Date: 2014-Jan
A new book examined the viability of the European Union's economic and social model within and after the global economic crisis. It identified four key issues: the asymmetry of the legal and policy framework of the euro; tensions between the EU's 'economic constitution' and its normative aim of social justice; the role of civil society in overcoming these tensions; and the EU's global aspirations towards the creation of a viable socio-economic model.
Source: Dagmar Schiek (ed.), The EU Economic and Social Model in the Global Crisis: Interdisciplinary perspectives, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Jan
A report by a committee of peers said that the existing proposal in the European Union (Referendum) Bill for the rules for the conduct of a referendum on whether to leave the European Union to be made by the Secretary of State and not in primary legislation should be reconsidered, as they might otherwise be challenged in court. It also suggested that the House might reconsider the wording of any referendum question, in line with the recommendations of the Electoral Commission.
Source: European Union (Referendum) Bill, 4th Report (Session 2013–14), HL 109, House of Lords Constitution Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Jan
