How can we fix the democratic deficit and overcome over-centralisation in the EU? Professor Josephine VAN ZEBEN, Dr Ana BOBIC and the other contributors to the book "Polycentricity in the EU" propose that the idea of polycentric governance, i.e., the presence of many centres of autonomous decision-making, is a fruitful place to start taking-up this challenge.
In the book, the authors assess the presence of, and potential for, polycentric governance within the EU, and offer an alternative theory of governance for the EU, as compared to existing (pluricentric) EU governance theories such as federalism. The aim of this volume is not to reject the EU's institutional structure but provide a different benchmark for the assessment of its functioning by highlighting the importance of multilevel horizontal relationships within the EU - between states, but also between many sub-state actors, all the way down to individuals to help us answer the question: how do we achieve self-governance in an interdependent world?
We are delighted to welcome Professor VAN ZEBEN and Dr BOBIC on October, 25, from 15.30-16.30, at the College for the presentation of their book and a panel debate with Professor GARBEN, who is one of the contributors to the book. The debate will be chaired by Professor GOVAERE. It is open to all but please register here before 24 October, 12h00 (noon).
Contact: Susi Rosalind FORDERER