The video discusses the democratic nature of the European Union (EU), with a focus on the role of its citizens in the political process. It begins by acknowledging the perception of many Europeans that their vote in EU elections doesn't count and that the EU is not democratic. The video then explores the concept of democracy in public policies, where decisions are based on the will of the people, but the people are not a coherent entity.
The video further explains that in a working democracy, there are checks and balances to create a fair environment for different groups to establish laws and rules that benefit them. However, it notes that international politics are not democratic but anarchic, with no central authority powerful enough to ensure fairness or enforce laws.
The video then delves into the history of the EU, explaining that it was originally founded to ensure peace between European nations and prosperity for the continent. It also discusses the EU's attempt to gain international power for its members, likening it to a superstate. The video concludes by stating that the EU is not as democratic as most of its member states, but it is democratic.
The video also discusses the role of the European Parliament, stating that it has become more powerful over the past two decades and has the ability to approve new laws that can be binding for member countries. However, it notes that the EU Parliament officially cannot propose new laws on its own, which is often cited as an argument that the EU is not democratic enough.
The video concludes by stating that the EU is not as democratic as most of its member states, but it is democratic. It encourages citizens to vote for their representatives and to participate in the political process, stating that extreme things can happen through elections. The video also emphasizes the importance of understanding and caring about how political institutions change and develop.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The European Union (EU) is a construct that tries to have rules and laws for its member nations that are actually enforceable.
2. The EU was originally founded to ensure peace between European nations and prosperity for the continent.
3. The EU is also an attempt to gain international power for its members.
4. The EU has four main institutions: the European Council, the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and the European Parliament.
5. The European Parliament is the only part of the EU that is directly elected by its citizens.
6. The European Parliament has to approve new laws, votes on how the EU budget is spent, and votes on international treaties.
7. The EU Parliament officially can't propose new laws on its own.
8. The European Commission is the de facto government of the EU, with one commissioner for each member state.
9. The European Council is made up of the heads of government or states of the member countries.
10. The Council of the EU is composed of ministers from the member countries.
11. The EU has a system of indirect democracy, where citizens vote for national representatives who then make decisions for the EU.
12. Citizens can directly vote for the European Parliament, but not for other EU institutions.
13. The EU is not as democratic as most of its member states, but it is democratic.
14. The EU is constantly changing, and citizens' votes can influence its future development.
15. The United Nations was founded after World War II to establish rules on how countries should behave.
16. The European Court of Justice is able to make binding decisions for EU member countries.
17. The EU has a system of checks and balances to create a fair environment for decision-making.
18. Term limits are in place to prevent factions from dominating too much.
19. International politics are not democratic but anarchic, with no central authority powerful enough to ensure fairness or enforce laws.
20. The EU is a superstate that is striving to be democratic and legitimized by all of its citizens.