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I can only speak with any kind of knowledge about the UK system, but doesn't it work with basically the same system? There are unelected bureaucrats appointed

I can only speak with any kind of knowledge about the UK system, but doesn't it work with basically the same system? There are unelected bureaucrats appointed by the government who advise them on policies and how they should be implemented. If anything because of first past the post it's a worse system because those policies are likely to become law with the party whipping system. At least the EU is more broadly represented in the parliament, or have I misunderstood? Also my understanding was that the EC is appointed by the member state governments, so to some degree there is a slight aspect of democracy in that the member states governments were democratically elected. I'm not sure how exactly an individual EC representative holds their term? Can a newly elected member state government replace the existing EC member with a new one if they didn't like the one their opponents had installed?

DoingIsLearning 4y ago
My issue is not so much that the system lacks democracy. In principle, EC members are appointed by government who consequently was elected into power by the people. What is worrying is that even for fairly low corruption countries, EC places have basically become 'jobs-for-the-boys' rather than appointing subject matter experts. You look at the bios, very few have taken a job other than professional politician, some have never left the brussels circle in their proffessional lives. These people can never be Healthcare experts, or Energy experts, or Environment experts. It's nonsensical!
- richrichardsson 4y ago
  Valid point. Cronyism is a problem in national politics also, additionally revolving door "consultant" positions in big businesses I find problematic. I'd love to see more direct democracy and/or some kind of merit based "national service" for government. It's quite often the case that those who seek political office are the worst people for the job (of course with exceptions to the rule).

DoingIsLearning 4y ago

My issue is not so much that the system lacks democracy. In principle, EC members are appointed by government who consequently was elected into power by the people. What is worrying is that even for fairly low corruption countries, EC places have basically become 'jobs-for-the-boys' rather than appointing subject matter experts. You look at the bios, very few have taken a job other than professional politician, some have never left the brussels circle in their proffessional lives. These people can never be Healthcare experts, or Energy experts, or Environment experts. It's nonsensical!

richrichardsson 4y ago
Valid point. Cronyism is a problem in national politics also, additionally revolving door "consultant" positions in big businesses I find problematic. I'd love to see more direct democracy and/or some kind of merit based "national service" for government. It's quite often the case that those who seek political office are the worst people for the job (of course with exceptions to the rule).