The supranational and intergovernmental aspects of European union leadership in crisis situations

Abstract

The European Union is a unique political umon. The cnses it faced between 2008-2012, namely the Euro crisis, the Irregular Migration issue and the Arab uprisings, were major challenges for the EU, as the total disunity among states reflected a lack of leadership on the part of the EU. The dissertation researches why states react so differently and if the balance of power between the supranational and the intergovernmental mode of governance has been adequate in crisis situations. The crises were chosen as they help understanding the EU. But crises are at the same time, a challenge and a recurrent feature in the EU. It is through crises that its weaknesses emerge and they provide an opportunity for development. States are tom between their reluctance to yield it portions of their sovereigilty and being trapped with a less effective EU. States have their legitimate, divergent interests and policy preferences but this is a dilemma when decisions need to be taken in an intergovernmental setting and when the supranational mode does not synthesise states' interests. The dissertation shows that the two modes of governance need to complement, not conflict, with each other. Through the pooling of powers, the EU's leadership in crisis situations emerges coherent and parallel to its leadership in climate change, trade and competition policy. The dissertation introduces the main argument, then explores the two modes of governance through the Literature Review. This brings out that the supranational is effective for policy-making· and protects the common interest while the intergovernmental protects the national interest. Both modes of governance satisfy different exigences for an effectively functioning EU. The case studies give the necessary background for the crises so that an analysis of states' and the EU's reactions can lead to the conclusion. The inter relationship between states, especially in view of further enlargements, has to be addressed. Only then can the two modes of governance be able to complement each other. A Union of 27 states has to cater for the diversities of 500 million people and present a coherent EU to the world at large but integration is an extremely long, complex process.