The European Union is in constitutional crisis. The large states demand a legislative chamber that respects the distribution of population, while the small states insist on equal (or near equal) representation with their larger peers to maintain equality among the member states.
Indeed, Europe faces the same problem that divided the delegates to the American Constitutional Convention that met in Philadelphia in the summer of 1789. Instead of France and Germany vs. Spain and Poland, it was Virginia and New York vs. Deleware and Georgia. And the solution is the same as well. Both sides should have what they ask for. There should be two houses of the legislature in Europe just as there are in America, one to represent the states and the other to represent the population. I hope that the American experience can help illuminate the Europeans' path along a similar road toward successful federation.
I wonder what the Europeans in this forum think of this humble American's advice.
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Good use of WhyNot?
Why not? Its an idea, isn't it? Its novel, as far as I know unproposed. It is in the political section. And if its a good idea it could benefit nearly a billion people.
One thing should not be underestimated...the importance of language. But it is a good idea.Why not!!!
There are, in fact, already three houses of legislature in the EU, the Parliament, which represents (and is elected directly by) the population (with a bias towards smaller member states), the Commission, which is technically unrepresentative, although the circulation of its members ensures an equal number are chosen by each of the member states, and the Council, which comprises of the heads of each of the member states, and is hence representative of the individual states. Voting in the Council, however, is determined either by universal agreement (on matters where such is neccessary), or qualified majority voting (QMV). QMV operates by giving each country a specific number of votes relative to their size, quite heavily biased towards the small states, and requires both a percentage of these votes (about 70%, I think) and a percentage of the population (around 70% also, as far as I know) for a law/treaty/etc. to be passed. This means that while Germany still has more sway than Ireland (my home), as it's a larger country, the QMV counts me as being worth about 5 German people in terms of votes.
The actual argument at the moment is on the exact amount of votes that countries are being given under the constitution.