Democracy Impacts

Thornton: "EU Experiment Has Failed"

March 13, 2015

Bruce Thornton of the Hoover Institution writes that due to the crumbling of unifying beliefs such as patriotism and Christianity, the experiment of the European Union is failing, and the U.S. may be next.
EU Official Aims to Reassure Britain on Immigration

March 11, 2015

First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans has stated that EU legislation does not prohibit U.K. rules restricting migrants' access to social security and has called on the EU to "limit action to where it is urgently needed."
EU Official Pushes United European Foreign Policy

March 11, 2015

In a recent speech in the U.K., EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini labeled the EU a "superpower" and indicated her hopes, by the end of her five-year term, to see "Europe speak with one voice and one flag" on foreign policy.
Abulafia: Europe "Myth" Prevents Reform

March 04, 2015

In an article announcing the launch of a project called Historians for Britain, Professor David Abulafia argues that the myth of "Europeanness," which he says has never actually existed, is holding back the reform of the EU's institutional problems and a renegotiated U.K. relationship with the bloc.
Euroskeptic Party Enters Assembly in Hamburg

February 25, 2015

The Economist reports that Alternative for Germany ("AfD") has entered its first assembly in West Germany as the euroskeptic party and the liberal Free Democrats have attracted voters from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union.
U.K. Euroskeptics See WTO as Alternative to EU

February 20, 2015

Participants at a conference on alternatives to EU membership held in London examined increased reliance on membership in the World Trade Organization ("WTO") and the ability to negotiate trade deals without the consent of other EU member states as advantages of leaving the EU.
Civitas: Norway's EU Relationship Offers Example to U.K.

February 13, 2015

In a recent report, British think tank Civitas argues that the U.K. could say billions of pounds each year and maintain a close trading relationship with EU countries if they negotiated a new deal with the EU that resembles the current arrangement between the bloc and Norway.
Juncker Withdraws Paper that Could Spur EU Reform

February 12, 2015

The Telegraph reports that European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has withdrawn a paper on "stronger economic policy coordination" in the EU, which U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron planned to use as a basis to negotiate EU reforms, due to potential "repercussions" in the upcoming British elections.
Heath Warns of Rift in Euroskeptic Parties

February 11, 2015

Allister Heath writes that mainstream euroskeptics in Britain should use their libertarian, pro-free market policies as an example to countries across Europe that are increasingly supporting populist, socialist parties advocating for dissolution of the EU.
Group Lays out Ten Needed Reforms to EU-U.K. Relationship

February 04, 2015

Business for Britain's Matthew Elliott has published a list of ten reforms needed for the U.K. to remain in the EU, including "an end to 'ever closer union.'"