The Perception of “Democratic Deficit” in the European Union

This chapter delineates the definition and historical genesis of the term “Democratic Deficit” in the context of the European Union, and it documents varying perspectives on the political system’s legitimacy, thus shedding light on the perceived existence or absence of a democratic deficit. Additionally, it probes the feasibility of forming a “European municipality”. The sense of a democratic deficit is indirectly evaluated through several lenses: the eagerness of European citizens to participate in European elections, their perspectives on the European Union’s operations, and their voiced intentions in referendums concerning treaty ratifications.