The constitution of the European Union: a republican alternative to liberalism

Abstract

The complexity and pluralism of modern societies has undermined the constitutional consensus, the hierarchical organisation of power and the decision-making by majority which characterises liberal democracy. The constitutional and democratic deficit in the European Union is a result of these generic deficiencies in global conditions. The strengthening of liberal democracy may exacerbate, rather than reduce, these problems. The authors suggest an alternative approach: democratic liberalism.