Suchergebnisse

Summary in English.

Comments on the possibility of unification of the Mediterranean region, modeled after the European Union. Five European Mediterranean nations & twelve southern (African) Mediterranean nations would form a religiously heterogeneous, but essentially forward-moving secular & modernized political unit. While basic conditions for the realization of such a regional integration are favorable, it is argued that the progress would not be rapid. A Mediterranean union would benefit from today's economic globalization trends, expanded communication networks, shared knowledge bases, social & health care applications of scientific advances, greater appreciation & preservation of the region's cultural heritage & tourist destinations, & ecological conservation. J. Sadler

The concepts of democracy & the democratic deficit are often applied to the European Union uncritically. However, before discussions of democracy can be meaningful, we must decide if the EU is a political entity that warrants evaluation by democratic standards. This paper challenges the notion that a primordial demos must exist before a democracy can be viable. A primordial demos is not necessary as illustrated by many nation-states that are not based on a distinct ethnic identity. Europe already has an emergent civic demos on which it draws for support & legitimacy. Having established that a demos exists, the paper goes on to assess the performance of the EU in light of democratic standards. While important limitations exist, the EU's democratic capacity is growing in terms of accountability, openness, & perhaps representation. 42 References. Adapted from the source document.

Sponsored by the journal Il Politico, a one-day conference on the state of the European Union was held in Pavia on 5 May 2003. Speakers (remarks printed in full) include Salvatore Veca, Andrea Albergati, & Silvio Baretta, followed by a round table of Sergio Romano, Massimo Cacciari, Alberto Majocchi, & Antonio Padoa Schioppa, & then replies from Cacciari, Romano, & Majocchi. Topics discussed include notable events in recent European Union history, from Maastricht to the Council of Helsinki, as well as European defense, relations with the US & the Muslim world, the UN, NATO, Iraq, etc. A. Siegel