Routledge - The Role of Political Parties in the European Union

Explore the complex dynamics of representative democracy within the European Union through this academic study from the Journal of European Public Policy Series. While political parties are essential at the national level for aggregating policy preferences and holding politicians accountable, their role changes significantly within the EU structure. This book examines the challenges posed by a weak electoral connection at the European level and questions whether partisan politics can still function effectively across borders. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of whether political parties can act as transmission belts to ensure political accountability and consistent decision-making. This text provides a necessary look at how political preferences are communicated and how decision-making links between different legislative bodies operate in a supranational context. It is an essential resource for anyone studying economic policy, development, or the structural mechanics of European governance.