What is meant by supranationalism, and why is it controversial?
Supranationalism is the existence of one authority that is ‘higher’ than that of the nationstate
and capable of imposing its will on it. It can therefore be found in international
federations, where sovereignty is shared between central and peripheral bodies. The
clearest example of a supranational institution, or an institution that has supranational
features, is the EU, which has a common political structure authorised to make decisions,
over certain issues, by majority voting. The UN, strictly speaking, is supranational in the
sense that it is empowered to exercise executive policy in relation to peace and security
matters (Article 25).
• Supranationalism is controversial for a number of reasons. In the first place, unlike intergovernmentalism, it is a form of co-operation amongst states that has significant implications for sovereignty. States that are members of supranational organisations cease to have full and independent control over what occurs within their own borders. Similarly, this may have implications for national identity. As most states are nation-states, independent self-government is a way of upholding and protecting their national distinctiveness. Supranationalism may erode this distinctiveness, creating, possibly, resentment and a nationalist backlash. Finally, supranationalism is controversial because it tends to have implications for democracy. As democracy is difficult to establish at a level higher than the nation-state, the growth of supranational authority tends to lead to a ‘democratic deficit’ as it constricts the functioning of democracy at lower levels.
• Supranationalism is controversial for a number of reasons. In the first place, unlike intergovernmentalism, it is a form of co-operation amongst states that has significant implications for sovereignty. States that are members of supranational organisations cease to have full and independent control over what occurs within their own borders. Similarly, this may have implications for national identity. As most states are nation-states, independent self-government is a way of upholding and protecting their national distinctiveness. Supranationalism may erode this distinctiveness, creating, possibly, resentment and a nationalist backlash. Finally, supranationalism is controversial because it tends to have implications for democracy. As democracy is difficult to establish at a level higher than the nation-state, the growth of supranational authority tends to lead to a ‘democratic deficit’ as it constricts the functioning of democracy at lower levels.