After completing the course, students will understand the concept of democratic deficit and its relevance in designing EU's political system. Students will be able to assess the merits of alternative proposals for addressing the democratic deficit. Students shall have a deeper knowledge of whether and how both national and EU level organizational and behavioural choices impact on the quality of European democracy.

It is commonly argued that the European Union suffers from a democratic deficit. Yet both academics and politicians are divided about both the existence of such deficit and about ways of addressing it. Drawing on a wide range of recent publications, the course examines various dimensions of the alleged democratic deficit from lack of citizen engagement to scenarios of genuine supranational democracy.

Email registration by 12 October essential

Suoritusvaihtoehto 1: sähköinen kirjallinen tentti
Haku 13.8.2015 alkaen ympäri lukuvuoden

Suoritusvaihtoehto 2: osallistuminen opetukseen
Haku 13.8.2015 alkaen

Pakolliset edeltävät opinnot: POLPOP02 Valtio-opin johdantokurssi

The course consists of one introductory lecture and weekly seminars. 

Each seminar session focuses on a specific theme, with all students expected to contribute to the discussions and to read the articles (the reading list is provided in the introductory lecture). Students must also, either individually or in pairs, produce an oral presentation on their chosen topic and a final course paper. 

Attendance is compulsory throughout the course. While no previous knowledge of the EU is required, considering the complexity of the subject matter, the ability to argue effectively in English is essential.