A legitimacy crisis in the European Union? : a neo-functionalist examination of the state of legitimacy in the EU

The extensive deepening and widening of the European Union that has taken place during the 1990's has resulted in the emergence of many issues that challenge the course of integration. The legitimacy of the Union is one of the key areas that has been questioned from a neo-functionalist perspective with the development of a united Europe. In scholarly discussions of legitimacy in the EU many authors have asserted that there is a legitimacy crisis at present. By examining the current state of legitimacy it is argued that the description of a crisis is overstated. However, there is still evidence of significant legitimacy problems that must be addressed by the Union elite in order for further integration to be successful. This analysis also highlights the limitations of the state-framework in EU studies. Through the application of a state concept of legitimacy it is demonstrated that constraints are placed upon examinations of the Union due to the narrow focus of a state model