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Governance and Civil Society at the EU Level

Author

Listed:
  • Matevz Tomsic

    (Faculty of Applied Social Studies, Slovenia)

  • Mateja Rek

    (Faculty of Applied Social Studies, Slovenia)

Abstract

In their article, the authors deal with the role of civil society as a factor of European democratic governance. Democratic governance is perceived as an ‘extended polyarchy’ that refers both to the electoral dimension of accountability and to the mechanisms of permanent control over power-holders through institutional balance of power. The authors examine specifics of governance and civil society at the EU level, claiming that participatory democracy is unrealistic at the EU level, which holds also for citizens’ engagement in civil society organized at EU level. They argue that civil society organized at the EU level can contribute to higher accountability of the Union’s institutions, but in a specific way, less through enhancing political engagement of citizens and linking them to political institutions but more through mutual control of different societal actors that would foster greater transparency of political process.

Suggested Citation

  • Matevz Tomsic & Mateja Rek, 2008. "Governance and Civil Society at the EU Level," Managing Global Transitions, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 6(4), pages 403-420.
    • Handle: RePEc:mgt:youmgt:v:6:y:2008:i:4:p:403-420
    as

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    File URL: http://www.fm-kp.si/zalozba/ISSN/1581-6311/6_403-420.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andreas Follesdal & Simon Hix, 2006. "Why There is a Democratic Deficit in the EU: A Response to Majone and Moravcsik," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44, pages 533-562, September.
    2. Åse Gornitzka & Ulf Sverdrup, 2007. "Who Consults? Expert Groups in the European Union," ARENA Working Papers 12, ARENA.
    3. Hadenius, Axel & Uggla, Fredrik, 1996. "Making civil society work, promoting democratic development: What can states and donors do?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 24(10), pages 1621-1639, October.
    4. Andreas Follesdal & Simon Hix, 2006. "Why There is a Democratic Deficit in the EU: A Response to Majone and Moravcsik," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(3), pages 533-562, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    governance; civil society; democracy; accountability; European Union;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Y9 - Miscellaneous Categories - - Other

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