Citizens of Europe: Democracy, gender and the European union

This thesis investigates the implications for democratic theory and practice of the conjunction of European integration and women's growing democratic expression. Both the scale and scope of democracy in Europe are shifting at the same time. Democracy is expanding from the nation-state to an emergent transnational polity and at the same time women in Europe are claiming their rightful position as full and equal partners in decision-making. This thesis begins the delicate task of breaking down the territorial and gendered boundaries which have prevented democratic theory from expanding in tandem with democratic practice. It argues that liberal readings of democratic theory do not adequately capture the democratic transformations underway, and must be supplemented by participatory and demonstrative models of democracy. An account of the position of women in the European Parliament and the use women make of European institutions to advance their democratic claims is given using this theoretical framework.