European Civil Society and ‘Participatory’ Governance Tools: The Impact of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency and Platform

Abstract

Using the case of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency and its civil society platform, Chap. 5 analyzes the effects of both stakeholders on input-legitimacy (the ability of civil society to contribute) and, on the other hand, output-legitimacy (rights-maintenance in the EU). Thiel argues that while both kinds of legitimacy should be pursued simultaneously, in reality output-legitimacy is much harder to achieve, given the diverse claims of civil society and the obstructing influence of member states. Thus, while the Agency and platforms are contributing to participatory input in governance in the human rights area, the overall output of rights provisions is less impressive.