Rediscovering Europe in the Netherlands - St Antony's College ...

ediscovering europe in the netherlands
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example, it depends on the topic and the substantive positions taken by
politicians which safeguards and forms of direct citizen participation are –
or are not – suitable. Moreover, the question of whether the inherent
potential of these instruments is actually exploited predominantly depends
on the role and responsibility assumed by national politicians. The multilevel
governance system which connects the eu to the member states and
citizens via a wide range of links offers an equally rich variety of possible
safeguards. In particular, the highly dynamic nature of the system creates a
reason for introducing safeguards, not so much in order to block developments,
but in order to allow citizens to maintain a grip on them. National
politicians can introduce specific safeguards which fit in with specific
views and are suitable for voicing these views. Horizontal safeguards at the
national level deserve particular attention, because to date these have been
neglected in the Netherlands. The debate on and formulation and application
of safeguards offers opportunities to improve the input legitimacy of
eu policy. This is also true for all forms of direct and deliberative democracy
which – through the ballot box, consultation forums or the Internet –
provide citizens with an insight into what is often seen as a ‘closed’ policy
process. At the same time, they force politicians to present what are often
seen as abstract European issues and complex decision making processes in
a tangible way as well as forcing them to adopt clear positions on them. If
the results of citizen participation are binding, this not only reinforces the
output legitimacy, but it may also constitute an important accountability
mechanism: a politician who is unable to persuade citizens of his or her
positions can be sanctioned. Safeguards are also relevant as an accountability
mechanism, as this chapter has shown.
The wrr would like to highlight two instruments in particular that are
mentioned in this chapter, namely preferenda and constitutional safeguards.
These are both radical instruments which must be used with
proper care. They also imply heavy responsibilities for both politicians
and administrators. However, they should be regarded as serious options
because both offer possibilities for improving the legitimisation of eu
policy on points where the regular opportunities offered by the regular
representative system have (in any event thus far) failed. Constitutional
embedding of Dutch eu membership opens the way for a public and political
debate on the nature and meaning of the political community (polity)
of which the Netherlands is part and for the establishment of the common
elements that are distilled from the different viewpoints. Preferenda can
offer a channel (or even an outlet) for the politicisation of important eu
policy issues that would otherwise remain unmentioned or invisible. They
force a public debate and can thus offer a counterweight to the lack of
involvement by citizens – but also by national politicians and administra-