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Europes democratic deficits are just as morally distasteful and ruinous as the economic deficits. The President of The European Commission is José Barroso, who never had to stand in a public election for the position. The twenty-seven commissioners who represent the constituent nations of the EU are all unelected. Unelected officials run entire countries, not just governing bodies. The Prime Minister of Italy and Minister of Economy and Finance, Mario Monti, has not featured on a ballot since he took office in November 2011. After coming to power Monti put together a cabinet of academics and eurocrats, not one of whom has been elected. Once one remembers that Monti once served as a European Commissioner it is not hard to see why he doesnt seem to care that he is running a country in crisis without a democratic mandate. Greece is currently being ruled under a technocratic government, headed by Panagiotis Pikrammenos.
While the powers that be in Europe claim to embrace democracy they are highly selective when deciding which results of elections or referendums they choose to recognize. When the Irish voted against the Lisbon Treaty in 2008 the EUs response was not to accept the wishes of the Irish, but rather to make the Irish vote again. After Hungary approved a popular constitution that embraced democratic reforms, the unelected European Commission threatened to repeal financial assistance and sue.
Whatever future meetings of European leaders yield, it will be the will of an unelected elite and not the wishes of the masses that will dominate future policy. Both the economic and democratic deficits facing Europe are too culturally engrained in the political culture, and there is no will for reform. We should not expect surpluses any time soon.
It turns out that Europe doesn't have to worry about elections, and that gives them a lot of flexibility.
It turns out that Europe doesn't have to worry about elections, and that gives them a lot of flexibility.
Um....what on earth are you talking about?
If you don't know how Europe works, why not ask?
Quantam -
I live in Europe. I know how Europe works.
What you posted is hugely skewed and distorted. One example - it claims that the PM of Italy has never faced an election, which is true - but only because the previous government collapsed, and he was able to form an interim government that will face the polls quite soon. This happens all the time in parliamentary systems, and doesn't mean elections aren't held as often in Europe as they are in the US.
All MEPs are elected (Members of the European Parliament) by the public - they then nominate the EU Commissioners, much as civil servants are chosen anywhere.
Quantam -
I just explained to you that ALL European MPs are directly elected.
I also explained to you that parliamentary procedures in all multi-party democracies allow for the collapse of one government and the use of an interim government, pending elections. The formation of a government is based on results from the preceeding election - it isn't just some random guy setting up a government, it is the next largest party after that leading the coalition or party which collapsed.
Ever wonder why the left likes the way the European Union works? It turns out that Europe doesn't have to worry about elections, and that gives them a lot of flexibility.
Europes democratic deficits are just as morally distasteful and ruinous as the economic deficits. The President of The European Commission is José Barroso, who never had to stand in a public election for the position. The twenty-seven commissioners who represent the constituent nations of the EU are all unelected. Unelected officials run entire countries, not just governing bodies. The Prime Minister of Italy and Minister of Economy and Finance, Mario Monti, has not featured on a ballot since he took office in November 2011. After coming to power Monti put together a cabinet of academics and eurocrats, not one of whom has been elected. Once one remembers that Monti once served as a European Commissioner it is not hard to see why he doesnt seem to care that he is running a country in crisis without a democratic mandate. Greece is currently being ruled under a technocratic government, headed by Panagiotis Pikrammenos.
While the powers that be in Europe claim to embrace democracy they are highly selective when deciding which results of elections or referendums they choose to recognize. When the Irish voted against the Lisbon Treaty in 2008 the EUs response was not to accept the wishes of the Irish, but rather to make the Irish vote again. After Hungary approved a popular constitution that embraced democratic reforms, the unelected European Commission threatened to repeal financial assistance and sue.
Whatever future meetings of European leaders yield, it will be the will of an unelected elite and not the wishes of the masses that will dominate future policy. Both the economic and democratic deficits facing Europe are too culturally engrained in the political culture, and there is no will for reform. We should not expect surpluses any time soon.
A Tale of Two Deficits - Hit & Run : Reason.com
Quantam -
My point was that most democracies do not elect civil servants.
Who elected Hillary Clinton?
Jesus wept....
Ever wonder why the left likes the way the European Union works? It turns out that Europe doesn't have to worry about elections, and that gives them a lot of flexibility.
A Tale of Two Deficits - Hit & Run : Reason.comEuropes democratic deficits are just as morally distasteful and ruinous as the economic deficits. The President of The European Commission is José Barroso, who never had to stand in a public election for the position. The twenty-seven commissioners who represent the constituent nations of the EU are all unelected. Unelected officials run entire countries, not just governing bodies. The Prime Minister of Italy and Minister of Economy and Finance, Mario Monti, has not featured on a ballot since he took office in November 2011. After coming to power Monti put together a cabinet of academics and eurocrats, not one of whom has been elected. Once one remembers that Monti once served as a European Commissioner it is not hard to see why he doesnt seem to care that he is running a country in crisis without a democratic mandate. Greece is currently being ruled under a technocratic government, headed by Panagiotis Pikrammenos.
While the powers that be in Europe claim to embrace democracy they are highly selective when deciding which results of elections or referendums they choose to recognize. When the Irish voted against the Lisbon Treaty in 2008 the EUs response was not to accept the wishes of the Irish, but rather to make the Irish vote again. After Hungary approved a popular constitution that embraced democratic reforms, the unelected European Commission threatened to repeal financial assistance and sue.
Whatever future meetings of European leaders yield, it will be the will of an unelected elite and not the wishes of the masses that will dominate future policy. Both the economic and democratic deficits facing Europe are too culturally engrained in the political culture, and there is no will for reform. We should not expect surpluses any time soon.
What is this person babbling about. Of course they have elections...
Each country appoints their own commissioners...
And of course he appoints people ot ministerial positions. At least those ministers are elected by the people...
now, tell me "oh Guardian of Freedom", which members of the public elected your Secretaries of State, Interior, Transport .... yadda, yadda, yadda....
Doofus
