ABSTRACT
The significance of this distorted conception of citizenship is that it undermines the scope and coherence for public participation in the EU political process. In reality, the scope for participation at the EU level extends well beyond the conception of citizenship outlined above; indeed, the latter is a poor guide to the former. But, the EU notion of citizenship, developed hitherto, obscures our understanding both of what exists and of the present opportunities for, and impediments to, increased participation.
