The European Union (EU) is a hybrid and unique body, which “(…) does not fit with many of our preconceived notions of how politics is organized.” (Cini, 2003-(a):1) Two aspects contribute to its “distinctiveness”: First, the EU has a two- level nature: it combines supranational with intergovernmental features. Supranationalism is defined as “(…) the existence of an authority that is ‘higher’ than that of the nation state and capable of imposing its will upon it.” (Heywood, 2000, 259). Applied to the EU, this definition would only concern the supranational EU- institutions. But supranationalism also refers to the common interests of the Union as a whole, and to most policy-areas, which are under the authority of the EU. The intergovernmental EU-level is characterised by the dominance of state-sovereignty. It relates to some EU-policy-areas and particularly to the special role of the 25 EU-member states, which have considerable influence within the Union. Both EU- levels have been subject to two different EU- integration theories. Neo- functionalism explains the creation and importance of a supranational stage with its core-concept of spillover. Intergovernmentalism is characterized by its state-centrism and focus on sovereignty. The second unique aspect of the EU, related to the first, is the complex EU-policy-making process. Legislation, developed by the EU- institutions, has to be implemented on a national level. Particularly the European Commission and the Council of the EU are main actors in policy-making. In this process, the Commission explicitly represents the Union’s interests and is thus referred to as supranational. The Council shows strong intergovernmental characteristics. It acts on behalf of the sovereign EU-member states and therefore has considerable influence in policy-making. [...]
Table of Contents
1. The European Commission
2. The Council of the European Union
3. EU policy-making
3.1. The pillars
3.2. Methods and procedures of decision-making
4. Inter-institutional relationship between Council and Commission
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper investigates the inter-institutional dynamics between the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to determine whether their relationship is characterized by rivalry or partnership in the context of EU policy-making. It aims to analyze the nature of their liaison, exploring how institutional features and functional roles influence their cooperation or conflict.
- The two-level nature of the European Union (supranational vs. intergovernmental).
- Functional roles and legislative powers of the European Commission and the Council.
- The influence of the three-pillar structure on decision-making processes.
- Theoretical perspectives on European integration, including Neo-functionalism and Intergovernmentalism.
- The potential for conflict versus mutual dependence within institutional interactions.
Excerpt from the Book
1. The European Commission
The European Commission is politically independent from the member states and acts as the Union’s driving force with supranational character. It consists of a political and administrative level. The political arm of the Commission relates to the ‘College of commissioners’, the members of the Commission, each responsible for different EU-policy areas and lead by the Commission President. The administrative arm comprises all officials within the Commission’s services or departments. The 23 departments or Directorates-General (DGs) each cover all policy areas and are organized sectorally or functionally. The permanent office of the Commission’s President, the Secretariat General, manages the inter-institutional and external relationships of the Commission.
As the executive body of the EU, the Commission is involved in the whole policy-making process and carries out four main tasks: First, it has a monopoly on the right to initiate legislation and propose it to Parliament and Council. The second role of the Commission is to supervise, manage and implement the Union’s budget (together with the Court of Auditors) as well as policies and programmes adopted by the EP and Council. The third responsibility, related to the second, is to enforce European law. Together with the Court of Justice, the Commission acts as ‘Guardian of the Treaties’ to ensure proper implementation within member states. The fourth Commission-task involves the external representation of the Union and the negotiation of international agreements on behalf of the EU.
Summary of Chapters
1. The European Commission: This chapter outlines the structural organization and primary responsibilities of the Commission, emphasizing its supranational character and its role as the executive driver of the EU.
2. The Council of the European Union: This chapter details the hierarchical structure and legislative functions of the Council, highlighting its role in representing the national interests of sovereign member states.
3. EU policy-making: This chapter explains the mechanics of EU decision-making, specifically the three-pillar system and the primary methods (Community vs. Intergovernmental) utilized in legislative procedures.
4. Inter-institutional relationship between Council and Commission: This chapter provides an analytical framework to examine the potential for conflict or cooperation between the two institutions based on their functional influence and interdependence.
5. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the analysis, arguing that the relationship is defined by mutual dependence rather than a zero-sum rivalry, while acknowledging the ongoing influence of the political climate on integration.
Key Terms
European Union, European Commission, Council of the European Union, Supranationalism, Intergovernmentalism, Policy-making, Pillar structure, Community method, Decision-making, Integration, Member states, Sovereignty, Mutual dependence, Legislation, Comitology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the nature of the relationship between the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, specifically addressing whether they function as rivals or partners in the policy-making process.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The work covers institutional design, the two-level nature of the EU (supranational and intergovernmental), the legislative policy-making process, and theories of European integration.
What is the central research question?
The central question is whether a conflict-potential exists between the European Commission and the Council of the EU, and if so, how this conflict or partnership manifests within the legislative framework.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a qualitative institutional analysis, outlining the features of the institutions and applying theoretical perspectives like Neo-functionalism to interpret their liaison.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the structural features of the Commission and Council, the EU three-pillar structure, legislative procedures, and a comparative analysis of institutional influence.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Supranationalism, Intergovernmentalism, policy-making, Council of the EU, European Commission, and institutional interdependence.
How does the author define the 'Community method'?
The author defines it as the dominant legislative process in the first pillar, characterized by the Commission’s exclusive right to initiate proposals and the Council’s role as the primary legislative decision-maker.
What role does the 'comitology' system play in the author's argument?
The author identifies comitology committees as a mechanism of national control that ensures the Commission considers member states' interests, thereby serving as evidence of the institutions' mutual dependence.
- Quote paper
- Julia Heise (Author), 2004, Are the Council of Ministers and the Commission partners or rivals in European policy-making?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/36675
