Security and Democracy in the European Union: An Introductory Framework
Titel:
Security and Democracy in the European Union: An Introductory Framework
Auteur:
Kantner, Cathleen Liberatore, Angela
Verschenen in:
European security
Paginering:
Jaargang 15 (2006) nr. 4 pagina's 363-383
Jaar:
2006-12
Inhoud:
This article—and the collection—explore the tensions between security policies and democratic accountability, debate and rights, in the context of the European Union. Unlike nation states, the EU has to confront 'new security threats' on very specific terms. We argue that its emerging security policies are shaped by unique features, such as its trans-national citizenry and the multi-level character of the EU decision-making system. This contributes to a fundamental redefinition of the relations between security and democracy. After briefly summarising the ideational background of Western thinking on security issues and their relations to liberty and democracy, we highlight the specific features and dilemmas of the current EU security policies. We then sketch an analytical framework to examine the complex relationship between security and democracy in the EU by focusing on two main issues: firstly, the normative questions, concerning the conceptualisation of the EU as a 'civilian' or 'normative power' itself, in addition to the relations of the external and the internal dimensions of security; and secondly, the mechanisms of democratic accountability, including parliamentary oversight, the role of public debate on European security issues, and the access to and use of expertise.
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