The EU Hybrid: Incrementalism with Democracy?

Abstract

This chapter argues that the debate about the proper relationship between member states and EU institutions usually pits those who favour emphasising intergovernmental principles against those who think that the Union must have an increased element of supranationalism. One result of a stalemate between these two positions is that the EU has developed into a hybrid regime. However, an empirical examination of recent debates in four important policy areas conducted by the authors reveals that member states often take a third position, incrementalism, which is a step-wise process characterised by advocating small policy reforms without really altering the hybrid. The main drawback of the incrementalism position is that it has only a vague notion of the need for and possibility of representative democracy.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution by Agnes Elfving, MA, with regard to the empirical work and the first translation from Swedish.