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Is the allocation of voting power among EU states fair?

Author

Listed:
  • Laruelle, Annick

    (UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES))

  • Widgren, Mika

    (Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Helsinki; CEPR)

Abstract

It has often been claimed that the current voting process within the EU Council of Ministers is not fair. In this paper we verify this assertion by carrying out an evaluation of the distribution of power among the member states. The results show that the current distribution of votes for the qualified majority does not lead to a fair distribution of power whatever definition of the EU is considered. It can not be claimed however that the current voting process has a systematic bias in favor of certain states. We also present a simple method to derive voting weights which lead to a fair allocation of power.

Suggested Citation

  • Laruelle, Annick & Widgren, Mika, 1996. "Is the allocation of voting power among EU states fair?," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 1996022, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
  • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvir:1996022
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European Union; Voting Power; 1966 Conference;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C71 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Cooperative Games
    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General

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