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Originally Posted by Apophis
How has the EU done in regards to issues like corruption? Or more appropriately, what checks and balances do they have to keep corruption from becoming an issue?
I think learning more about how the EU is structured might provide some insight into how to restructure, or re-create, a modern version of the UN.
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The structure of the EU is complicated. Every country elects MEPs to the European Parliament but there is also a council of foreign ministers which is more powerful. On top of this governments/ prime ministers/ presidents appoint commissioners which are like senior civil servants who sit around dreaming up decrees about how bannanas should be straighter and how british chocolate doesn't contain enough cocoa to be called chocolate. There is a rotating presidency of the EU which each country takes in turn.
It is recognised that this system needs reforming and a new constitution is being drafted (bickered over).
As for corruption, I have never heard any scandals so either it isn't happening much or it isn't being detected much. The EU doesn't have large budgets to throw around like the UN so it is less susceptable to corruption. It is more about coordination, rule making and diplomacy than direct action.
A body like this can only be strong if governments are willing to give it power. The UN security council always gets vetoed so it never takes action. Imagine if every state in the US could veto the president. He would be powerless to take action, but they have given him power and so they are all stronger as a result.
01-22-2005, 11:11 AM
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