Abstract

The European Union is a unique political entity, whose sovereign member countries pool authority in key areas of government in order to reach shared goals. Every national of a Member State is also an EU citizen, giving them the right to participate in the democratic life of the bloc. The article aim to illustrate the common values of the existing European idea, the nature of the European Union, its creation, institutional effectiveness, approach to past crises, and outlook over the next couple of decades. By focusing on the constant tug and pull between state governments of member countries and EU institutions, the main focus is related at discerning the fundamental structural flaws at the core of the Union and how the push for integration is jeopardized by the ongoing economic and migratory crises. The article has intention to make an overview on the evolution of the European Union, and what lessons learned can be applied to Europe’s current challenges. Due to the fact that EU is faced with unprecedented challenges, the further realistic and logical approaching is more than necessary in order to stabilized and to move forward towards the future of European Union and its citizens and institutions as a complex and contemporary model. Is Europe in the midst of a crisis of democratic governance? Will populism undo the Europe Union? Can Europe handle the challenges of an aging population, an influx of refugees, and slow economic growth?