The White Paper on European Governance – Have Glasnost and Perestroika Finally Arrived to the European Union?

Abstract

The Commission' s White Paper examining options for reforming European governance was published on 25 July 2001.1 It is coincidental that the document emerged within a month of the Irish 'no' vote in their referendum on the Nice Treaty.2 This makes the document all the more pertinent. The Commission seizes upon the Irish decision as evidence that the White Paper raises issues that must be addressed to counteract the apathy and resistance of European citizens to the activities of the EU and to integration more generally. Whilst this may be true in part, the Irish 'no' was not exclusively a reaction to the White Paper's conclusions that political procedures are at fault and require reform. Rather, the Irish decision was more concerned with the actual direction and policy that the EU has adopted, particularly with regard to the enlargement process.3 The White Paper comes at a crucial stage of EU integration. Enlargement and political union are both key objectives for which the EU has set ambitious deadlines to complete. Perhaps rather belatedly, the White Paper has recognised that for these objectives to be successful, the Union must be more in tune with the expectations of its citizens. For example, concepts such as citizenship need to be given a more tangible meaning that enables EU citizens to feel as if they themselves have a stake in the direction that the EU is taking. The Commission President, Romano Prodi's ongoing programme of reforms to combat fraud and mismanagement are a welcome development and the White Paper is an integral part of that reform process. The emphasis on participation through engaging with civil society and a commitment to increased openness are both important inclusions, though there is room for further improvement in these areas. This White Paper is aimed not just at politicians, but at all who have a stake in the EU. Ultimately this includes all EU citizens whose lives are affected by European legislation, whether at their place of employment or if they are buying a package holiday. The question that remains to be answered is whether the White Paper will provide the necessary impetus for all levels of governance in the EU to engage with citizens with regard to what role the EU should play in their lives. The engagement with civil society is crucial but may not be enough. Apathy in the