The dissertation will focus on the Convention on the Future of Europe which
was launched in March 2002 and which is operating the task to prepare the
next Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in 2004. Main issues on the
Convention’s working plan are a draft constitution and the preparation of EU
institutions for the enlargement.
Given that the Convention has started its work in March 2002 and will
approximately end in Spring / Summer 2003, its work is still in progress. That
is why it would be difficult to write on the outcome and either predict or judge
its success. That is why the focus lies on the procedural arrangements within
the Convention Method and explicitly not on its content. Therefore the
dissertation will deal, in general, with the negotiation process. In detail, the
focus will examine the Convention’s kind of procedural arrangements, the
operative mode and the working method or in short: the Convention Method
and its difference compared with former IGCs and their preparing groups.
Thus, the dissertation’s main part is build on four parts: The first chapter will set up a definition for an IGC while considering various perspective from legal over formal via practical to theoretical. Then, the second chapter will
introduce the history and the task of IGCs and their preparing groups by
looking at the setting, procedural arrangements and the mandate, whilst in
the third chapter, both conventions, the Convention on the Charter of
Fundamental Rights and the Convention on the Future of Europe in the
scope of the IGC 2004 will be studied. Then in the final fourth chapter, the
key question of “What makes the difference?” will be discussed. Further key
questions that fall into the scope of the negotiation process touches to what
extend the kind of negotiation process influence the outcome, the
harmonization of actors’ position as well as actors’ behaviour.
Table of Contents
A. Introduction
B. The Convention Method
Defining an IGC
The Legal Background
The Interactive Relationship between an IGC and the Council
How to approach an IGC
IGCs in a theoretical perspective
Setting and Procedural Arrangements of former IGCs
The first circle of IGCs: 1950 - 1957
The second circle of IGCs: 1985 - 2000
IGC 2004 and the twin examples of the Convention on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Convention on the Future of Europe
The Convention on the Charter of Fundamental Rights
The Future of Europe – Debate
The Convention on the Future of Europe
What makes the Difference?
Negotiation Process
Traditional Style vs. Convention Method
Future Prospects of the Convention Method
C. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics of the Dissertation
This dissertation examines the procedural arrangements of the "Convention Method" used to prepare the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) 2004, focusing on how this approach differs from the traditional, intergovernmental methods employed in previous treaty reforms. The central research question explores whether the Convention Method represents a successful model for enhancing transparency, democratic legitimacy, and efficiency in the European Union's negotiation processes.
- Evolution of the "Convention Method" from the Charter of Fundamental Rights to the Convention on the Future of Europe.
- Comparative analysis of traditional intergovernmental negotiation styles versus the newer, more supranational-oriented Convention approach.
- The impact of institutional composition, leadership, and working methods on the negotiation process.
- The influence of internal controversies, public perception, and communication strategies on the final outcomes of IGC preparations.
Excerpt from the Book
Traditional Style vs. Convention Method
Since the fundamental features shared by each preparatory committee have been checked before, in the following paragraph the focus will lie on their differences. Thus, one needs to remember that the any negotiation process from preparatory work to the final decision-making is determined by the struggle for power. In the case of the EU, different levels from subnational to national to supranational with different kind actors exist. When it comes to negotiate an IGC, the responsible actors are the Heads of State and Government and for that reason, the former preparatory groups were composed of their personal representatives.
Thus, the group remained relatively small including 15 members and because they were personal representatives, the Heads of State and Government were able to keep the control over the preparatory work. In consequence, the input as well as the outcome reflected the interest of the Member States and were limited to the lowest common denominator among the Member States’ notions. Hence, the making of European politics was reserved to relations of unitary state actors and domestic political arenas, which stay complementary to the European stage, influenced negotiation positions.
Summary of Chapters
A. Introduction: This chapter outlines the context of European integration, the role of Intergovernmental Conferences (IGCs), and introduces the focus on the Convention Method as a new procedural approach for preparing treaty reforms.
B. The Convention Method: This main part provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal and theoretical definitions of IGCs, reviews the history of former preparatory arrangements, and investigates the twin examples of the Convention on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Convention on the Future of Europe.
C. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the analysis, reflecting on whether the Convention Method successfully offers a more transparent and democratic alternative to traditional intergovernmental practices in shaping the future of the European Union.
Keywords
Intergovernmental Conference, Convention Method, European Union, Treaty Reform, Supranationalism, Intergovernmentalism, Procedural Arrangements, Negotiation Process, Institutional Reform, Enlargement, Charter of Fundamental Rights, Future of Europe, Multi-level Governance, Decision-making, Democratic Legitimacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this dissertation?
The work focuses on the procedural arrangements and working methods of the "Convention Method" used to prepare for the 2004 Intergovernmental Conference, rather than the substantive content of the treaties themselves.
What are the central themes explored in this research?
Key themes include the shift from traditional intergovernmental negotiation styles toward more open, supranational-based practices, the importance of institutional design in decision-making, and the impact of these changes on transparency and legitimacy.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to determine if the Convention Method is a viable and appropriate model for organizing preparatory work for future IGCs within the European Union.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The author uses a comparative institutional analysis, examining historical records of preparatory committees and contrasting them with the organizational structure and procedural rules of the newer Conventions.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main part covers the legal background of IGCs, theoretical frameworks of integration, the history of former IGCs, the specific mechanisms of the Conventions (Charter and Future of Europe), and a critical discussion of the negotiation processes.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Essential keywords include Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), Convention Method, Supranationalism, European Union, and Multi-level governance.
How does the Convention Method differ from previous preparatory models?
Unlike traditional models that were limited to representatives of Heads of State and Government, the Convention Method includes a diverse group of actors, including national parliamentarians, MEPs, and representatives from candidate countries, aiming for greater openness.
Does the author consider the role of the Chairperson in the Convention?
Yes, the author discusses the leadership of the Convention, particularly the role of the Chair and Praesidium, noting that their influence on the agenda and working program has at times caused controversy among convention members.
- Arbeit zitieren
- M.A. Sarah Kramer (Autor:in), 2002, Negotiating the future of europe - an analysis of the convention's procedural arrangements, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/113502
