Europe as a consent construction

The European Union is the most polyarchical political institution in the world. This complex constitutional arrangement best explains both its the unique values and difficulties. In order to properly understand the European Union and its unique model of legitimacy, accountability and democracy, it is necessary to leave the viewpoint of the nation-state, and adopt a multiple and innovative viewpoint, which encompasses heterogenous interests, focusses on shared power, shared limitation and seeks to avoid hegemonies. With this understanding of Europe as a consent construction, it is possible to best propose policies which would advance democracy without undermining or undoing the transnational innovation in politics the EU represents.