EPRC Seminar: Popular commitment to an ever closer union? A pragmatic approach

On 15 June, EPRC hosted a seminar by Professor Richard Rose from the Centre for the Study of Public Policy (CSPP) at the University of Strathclyde. Prof Rose presented some aspects discussed in his forthcoming book with Oxford UP, 'Representing Europeans: A Pragmatic Approach'. The key theme is that the past is no longer a guide to the future dynamics of EU integration. While most Europeans are satisfied with the level of integration that the EU has achieved, they are not committed to an ever closer Union for its own sake. By contrast, the majority of MEPs are in favour of closer European integration. Future steps toward integration will need to be justified pragmatically to national citizens as well as to the European Council and Parliament with provisions for referendums, differentiated integration and opt outs. The presentation is available http://www.cspp.strath.ac.uk/ulbpragmatism2012.ppt