Is the EU democratic? The role of the European Commission | #EUDemocracyExplained

In this new video series from the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA), Hugh Evans explores the the ways democracy weaves its way in and out of the EU system. This first episodes revolves around a crucial and unique EU institution: the European Commission.

We will explore how the Commission works, learn about its history, and discover how a proposal gets passed in the institutional triangle. In addition, we will explore an important element of what makes the EU democratic: accountability. Many people worry that the Commission is not accountable, but despite the caricature of 'Brussels bureaucrats', the truth is very different - this video explains how accountability is crucial in the European Union.

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?”

Script, Filming & 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.

01:25 What is the European Commission?
04:12 How does the EU work?
07:29 What is democratic accountability?
10:01 Accountability and the European Commission

[evaribera]

Very interesting, thank you for thinking about new formats to explain the EU!!

[vicioustwist]

The European Commission, much like the E.U. itself, is purposefully structured so that complexity is built in. This mitigates the power of the populace, giving the E.U.'s real constituency, themselves and international business concerns and particular banks, a great deal of power and leverage to keep the government from representing the will of the people, thereby eviscerating the People's power to have government intercede on their behalf. The E.U. was born from the economic institutions following World War II. Governance and democracy are, at best, lessor concerns of the E.U.

[Kounomura]

The European people say a definite NO to an European empire. The European peoples had and still have a very bad experience with empires. We want a strong European Union of strong, sovereign nation-states, but not an inhuman empire. The European Union is becoming more and more like the Soviet Union. But if it does happen, it will be even more disappointing. The goal is to colonize smaller countries.

This is already looming large. If this were not the goal, then cooperative, free trade would be enough. On the other hand the powerful western member states dictate what the smaller eastern member states are allowed to do and think, eg. how he must raise their children, how many migrants they have to take in, etc.. The blackmail is getting very depressing.

With the European Union, the countries of the former Soviet sphere fell from bucket to bucket. You can't talk about freedom and equality at all. The union goes so far as to overthrow democratically elected parties and leaders in some member states. For example, in Hungary they have been trying to do this for 12 years. This country is mercilessly blackmailed, rightfully due money is refused to be paid out with all kinds of false reasons.

[domenicamassaro]

No, the EU is not democratic, otherwise it would abide the ICJ ruling. Double standards are not democracy.

[Healden]

So if the elected governors of US States agree on a President, and present him/her as a single candidate for approval by Congress, the President has democratic legitimacy as leader of the executive arm of government? This is analogous as the executive is the only arm of government with the right to initiate and draft legislation. What he is describing here is not democracy.

[DancoVrboski]

Bitonot danso vrboski. Toe. E evopen. Zamene. Garatiram. Tuh grp. Ne. Tamu ie. Mote. Bratuhedi