In this series from the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA), Hugh Evans explores the ways democracy weaves its way in and out of the EU system.
This episode tackles the institution that you might already be most familiar with: the European Parliament. We will learn about its history dating all the way back to the 1950s and about what developments over the course of that period have served to increase the quality of representation, accountability, and ultimately democracy within it.
We will also tackle a crucial concept in democracy theory: representation. While you might think you already know about this concept, there is more to the theory of representation than you might think, and its nuanced and vital role in democracy is implemented in a unique way in the EU system.
EU Democracy Explained is a series where we delve into detail about what democracy actually is and how it works in Europe, and ask ourselves: “what makes the EU democratic?”
TEPSA Website: www.tepsa.eu/
TEPSA Twitter: / tepsaeu
TEPSA Facebook: / tepsa.eu
TEPSA LinkedIn: / tepsabrussels
TEPSA Instagram: / tepsaeu
Script, Recording & Editing: Hugh Evans
Music: Wondershare Filmora X
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
00:36 - What is the European Parliament?
03:13 - What is representation?
05:32 - Representation in the European Parliament
09:13 - What do MEPs do?