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Is the European Union in Need of a Competence Catalogue? Insights from Comparative Federalism

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  • Wilfried Swenden

Abstract

This article assesses the value of a detailed and rigid catalogue of competencies for curbing the process of European centralization and increasing the overall legitimacy of the EU. The article first details the reasons, and the actors who put the search for a catalogue of competencies on to the European agenda. Drawing from comparative federalism, it then lists five arguments why a detailed and rigid competence catalogue is neither feasible nor desirable. Finally, alternatives are provided leading to competence delimitation by other means. The main arguments are illustrated with reference to the European Convention's draft Constitutional Treaty.

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  • Wilfried Swenden, 2004. "Is the European Union in Need of a Competence Catalogue? Insights from Comparative Federalism," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(2), pages 371-392, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:42:y:2004:i:2:p:371-392
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5965.2004.00492.x
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    1. McKay, David, 2001. "Designing Europe: Comparative Lessons from the Federal Experience," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199244355.
    2. Tanja A.Börzel & Thomas Risse, 2000. "Who is Afraid of a European Federation? How to Constitutionalise a Multi-Level Governance System," Jean Monnet Working Papers 1, Jean Monnet Chair.
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