Conditional deliberation: the case of joint parliamentary committees in the EU

Date
2014
Authors
Ozcurumez, S.
Hoxha, J.
Advisor
Instructor
Source Title
Journal of Common Market Studies
Print ISSN
0021-9886
Electronic ISSN
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Volume
53
Issue
3
Pages
642 - 657
Language
English
Type
Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract

Deliberation, as a mode of interaction based on the logic of reason-giving argumentation, is a core feature of the European Union institutions. Yet only few studies have explored the conditions that make deliberation possible in practice. This study examines the institutional determinants of deliberation within joint parliamentary committees (JPCs) – longstanding instruments of EU enlargement policy. The empirical analysis reveals a dynamic relationship between ‘deliberation’ and ‘debate’ as extreme modes of interaction that co-exist within the same setting. It also suggests that deliberation is a product of participants’ constant efforts to maintain equal power relations and low issue-area sensitivity. This study provides new evidence on deliberative politics at the EU level. In addition, it highlights the role of inter-parliamentary deliberation as a catalyst for political co-operation and policy co-ordination, at a time of intensifying enlargement fatigue and growing Euroscepticism both at home and abroad.

Course
Other identifiers
Book Title
Keywords
European-union, Democratic-theory, Decision-making, Comitology, Governance, Legitimacy, Council
Citation
Published Version (Please cite this version)