EU decision-making process WS-PO-EU-PDec

Course contents:
During the course the following topics will be covered:
1. Introduction to analysis of political systems of D. Easton. Phases and functions of the political system
2. Features of the political system of the European Union (work by S. Hix 's)
3. Analysis of the European Union decision-making process
4. The participants and the types of policy decisions
5. Functions of the decision in the political system of the European Union
6. Political decision-making procedures in the EU after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon: the specificity of the ordinary and special legislative procedure, budgetary procedure, the procedure for admission of new members.
7. Cooperation of the European institutions in the process of political decision-making, the role of national parliaments and the ‘civil society’
8. Decision-making procedures by the main EU institutions: Council, Parliament and the Commission (the specificity of public consultation, the Green and White Papers, European citizens' initiative)
9. The specificity of the acquis communautaire after the Treaty of Lisbon
10. Creating and character of political decisions in the former: I, II and III pillar of the European Union
11. The issue of democratic deficit in the European Union and the effectiveness of the political system.

Teaching Methods:
Course takes the form of a seminar that combines theoretical knowledge with its practical application for analyzing current problems of the EU decision-making process. For this purpose the discussion on a given literature takes place and then the specific issue is presented by students.