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Federation With Majority Decisions: Economic Lessons From The History Of The Unite D States, Germany And The European Union

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  • Roland Vaubel

Abstract

This article examines the potential impact of qualified majority voting on decision‐making within the EU. It draws on the experience of US federalism, Germany under Bismarck and the UK in the European Union. In each case, it is shown that geographical majorities (nations, states or regions) have used majority decision‐making as a means of increasing their rivals’ costs. It is argued that to prevent such behaviour in the future in the EU, the proposed Constitutional Treaty should raise, not lower, the decision‐making quorum.

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  • Roland Vaubel, 2004. "Federation With Majority Decisions: Economic Lessons From The History Of The Unite D States, Germany And The European Union," Economic Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(4), pages 53-59, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecaffa:v:24:y:2004:i:4:p:53-59
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0270.2004.00516.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Catterall, 2005. "Twenty‐Five Years Of Promoting Free Markets: A History Of Economic Affairs," Economic Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(4), pages 48-57, December.
    2. Roland Vaubel, 2006. "Principal-agent problems in international organizations," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 125-138, June.

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