DSPO 25A95 - A Democratic Deficit? Legitimacy and Representation in the EU
DSPO 25A95 · Fall semester 2026-2027
- Language of tuition
- English
- Course type
- Cours séminaire
- Number of hours
- 24
- Credits
- 5
Information
Description
This course examines EU legitimacy through the lens of democracy and citizen representation. It analyses representation mechanisms at European and national levels — the Council, the European Parliament, direct elections, and deliberative democracy — and explores public opinion, Euroscepticism, political crises, and referendums. In the final weeks, students develop a reform proposal to strengthen EU democracy.
Learning objectives: understand citizen representation in multilevel governance; form and defend a position on the EU's democratic deficit; analyse how European public opinion and identity are shaped; critically engage with academic research; think creatively about institutional reform; and provide constructive feedback on peers' work
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of the European Union and its institutions. Ability to read academic texts in English.
Teaching format
Twelve weekly two-hour seminars. Sessions combine a short instructor-led introduction with structured discussion of the required readings, organised around four thematic parts. Students complete a preparatory survey before four sessions. The final session is devoted to student presentations of reform proposals, with instructor and peer feedback
Assessment
Four pre-seminar surveys (40%); recorded oral presentation and written peer feedback (20%); written reform proposal approx. 3,000 words (40%).
Readings
Main readings 5
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Dahl, R.A. (1994). A democratic dilemma. Political Science Quarterly, 109(1), pp.23–34.
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Follesdal, A. and Hix, S. (2006). Why there is a democratic deficit in the EU. JCMS, 44(3), pp.533–562.
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Hix, S. (2013). What’s Wrong with the European Union and How to Fix It, ch. 1. Wiley.
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Hobolt, S.B. and De Vries, C.E. (2016). Public support for European integration. ARPS, 19(1), pp.413–432.
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Hobolt, S.B. and Tilley, J. (2014). Blaming Europe?, ch. 2. Oxford University Press.
Further readings 4
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Bruter, M. (2003). Winning hearts and minds for Europe. Comparative Political Studies, 36(10), pp.1148–1179.
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Hobolt, S.B. (2016). The Brexit vote. Journal of European Public Policy, 23(9), pp.1259–1277.
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Hooghe, L. and Marks, G. (2009). A postfunctionalist theory of European integration. BJPS, 39(1), pp.1–23.
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White, J. (2015). Emergency Europe. Political Studies, 63(2), pp.300–318.
Teaching units
| Unit no. | Unit type | Teaching units | Teachers | Number of hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20163 | Cours séminaire | A Democratic Deficit? Legitimacy and Representation in the EU | Tom HUNTER | 24 | 5 |
Teachers
- Tom HUNTER
In the curricula
- Bachelor Exchange Programme, Seminars / Bachelor, Programme d'échange, séminaires - 26/27COLLÈGE UNIVERSITAIRE - CAMPUS PARIS
- Bachelor, semestre 3 : cours séminaires - 26/27COLLÈGE UNIVERSITAIRE - CAMPUS PARIS
Contacts and resources
- Contact
- NICOULEAU Svetlana