The European Union as a hyper-complex system. Tackling expertise and legitimacy: toward a competent democracy

This thesis explores the democratic legitimacy of the European Union, focusing on how it can be reformed to address the challenges posed by its hyper-complex structure. The work examines the tension between the growing reliance on expert knowledge in EU governance and the need to maintain democratic principles. By analysing the concepts of political legitimacy, the democratic deficit, and the role of expertise, the thesis investigates whether a model of "competent democracy" can reconcile these conflicting demands. The study suggests that a balance between technical competence and democratic representation is essential for the EU’ s legitimacy. A theoretical model is proposed, advocating for professionalised politics, where elected representatives are sufficiently trained to navigate complex governance issues while avoiding the pitfalls of technocracy.