According to Justine Lacroix, European institutions are not and cannot become a political space for democratic debate as completed and perennial as that of nation states. The extension and universalization of homogeneous rights for all European citizens, on the other hand, constitute the main democratic contribution of the European Union, which could, if Europe resists the temptation of withdrawal, serve as a model or an example to the rest of the world.
Justine Lacroix is a professor of political science at the Free University of Brussels. Specialist in European questions, she participated, as part of the forum “ Reinvent democracy “Organized by the Republic of ideas in Grenoble, at the Round Table” Are European institutions democratic ? »»
Interview carried out as part of the forum “ Reinvent democracy »In Grenoble on May 8, 9 and 10, 2009.
Video summary:
– You say that the indifference of public opinion vis-à-vis European debates does not question the democratic character of European institutions …
– Is European construction carrying freedom and democratic principles ?
– How more democratize Europe ?
– Will economic cooperation allow a universal extension of rights ?