ABSTRACT
Few can doubt the growing importance of the European Union (EU) in the lives of the peoples of its Member States, or even to the world beyond. The current EU agenda comprises moves to a single currency and closer foreign policy co-operation, including defence. Existing EU policies in regional development and agricultural aid are highly important to those directly affected. Moreover, the increased openness of the European market is revising the regulatory powers of national governments over their domestic economies. New States seek to enter the EU and Third World countries have established important relations with it. The importance of the EU naturally provokes questions of how it affects democratic systems, accountability and participation. The viability of democracy at the national level depends on a resolution of the Member Nations’ relationships with the rest of the EU. Participation at home is of less use, the more ‘power’ is exercised at the EU level.
