http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/authors/2891/ainsley-gilbert Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:23:47 -0400 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:23:47 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1077/the-importance-of-the-lisbon-treaty-in-the-future-governance-of-europe-and-the-necessity-for-further-revision By Ainsley Gilbert - The lack of democracy in the European Union prior to the Treaty of Lisbon has been criticised by many, and it is fair to say that the EU was ‘closer to a form of enlightened despotism than a genuine democracy’.3 The only directly elected institution, the European Parliament, had little power, and citizens had no way of ”getting involved” in the policy making process of the Union other than through its infrequent elections. Decision-making authority rested with the unelected bureaucracy of the Commission and the Council of Ministers (made up of national politicians) rather... Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1077/the-importance-of-the-lisbon-treaty-in-the-future-governance-of-europe-and-the-necessity-for-further-revision