Introduction

Abstract

"'Efficient and Democratic Governance in the European Union' was the topic investigated by the international research project CONNEX during the four years (2004-2008) of its life time. Multi-level governance stands for the high interdependence of political responsibilities executed at regional, national and European levels in close collaboration of public and private actors. Efficiency and democratic legitimacy are not easily attained since multi-level governance incites complexity. Furthermore, governance with stakeholders and civil society by-passes established mechanisms of representation and blurs responsibility. Democratic representation and accountability, however, are the very foundation of legitimate governance. The papers contained in this volume were presented at the network's Final Conference which took place at the University of Mannheim on March 6-8, 2008.1 The plenary sessions were dedicated to the core issues of the CONNEX governance research: (1) Institutions and instruments for efficient EU governance, (2) Accountability and representation in a multi-level system and (3) Civil society involvement, social capital and interest intermediation." (excerpt)