DSPO 25A95 - A Democratic Deficit? Legitimacy and Representation in the EU

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

Basic knowledge of the European Union and its institutions. Ability to read academic texts in English.

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

Four pre-seminar surveys (40%); recorded oral presentation and written peer feedback (20%); written reform proposal approx. 3,000 words (40%).