S'appuyant sur des recherches récentes dans le domaine des neurosciences et sur de nombreuses expériences, l’auteur montre le rôle positif joué par nos émotions dans nos décisions politiques... Read More
Contrary to the classical authors who from Aristotle to William James contrasted reason and emotion, this book shows that they are complementary. They are the necessary subconscious bedrock of our mental activities.
Applying recent research in the domain of neuroscience along with ample experience, the author reveals the positive role our emotions play in our political decisions. Anxiety, for example, far from throwing voters into the arms of a strong man, and being a danger to democracy, makes them think. It turns them away from their acquired habits and encourages "rational" behavior.
The "sentimental" citizen is he or she who best exercises critical judgment and translates it into coherent choices. Such is the paradoxical thesis that George E. Marcus defends, in this short volume, clearly and convincingly.
George E. Marcus is Professor of Political Science at Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts. Former President of the International Society of Political Psychology (2006-07), he is internationally known for his research on Political Psychology, particularly on the role of emotion in democratic politics.
Introduction
Chapter 1 / WHAT ARE THE EUROPEAN UNION'S PRIORITIES?
Emiliano Grossman and Sylvain Brouard
European legislation : structural and procedural characteristics
The EU: an atypical actor
Conclusion
Chapter 2 / ARE EU POLICIES MEETING EUROPEANS' EXPECTATIONS?
Renaud Dehousse and Nicolas Monceau
Evaluating "European demands"
Europeans' primary expectations
Significant variations according to country and political orientations
The supply of European policies
Conclusion
Chapter 3 / WHAT DOES THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION DO?
Giuseppe Ciavarini Azzi
Is the Commission taking the sort of initiatives which the Union needs?
Is the Commission defending its initiatives effectively?
Executive and oversight activities
Conclusion
Chapter 4 / WHAT POWERS DOES THE EU PRESIDENCY HAVE?
Ana Mar Fernández
The initial model
The gradual supranationalization of the Presidential function
Is the Presidency’s autonomy being eroded?
France at the command and service of the EU
Conclusion: The Presidency of the European Union—Striking the right balance
Chapter 5 / WHY IS THE EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MORE ACTIVE IN SOME POLICY DOMAINS?
Florence Deloche-Gaudez
An activity concentrated in a few policy domains
Competences are not the only contributing factor
Are decisions easier to make by unanimity?
Are relations between the Council and the European Parliament becoming more conflictual?
Differentiated voting habits
Conclusion
Chapter 6 / HOW TO EVALUATE THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND ITS MEMBERS?
Olivier Costa
Challenges and pitfalls of MEP activity
Assessing the European Parliament’s influence: a difficult task
Conclusion