Compound Democracies: The Growing Similarities Between the U.S. and Europe

According to Sergio Fabbrini, professor of political science at Italy’s Trento University, the differences between U.S. and European democracies are diminishing—the result of regional integration in Europe over the last 60 years. The political systems of the European Union and U.S. now represent two species of the same political genus: the compound democracy. While this type of system allows a collective of states to function effectively as a single entity with common goals, it does so at the possible expense of representative decision-making and accountability.

On April 29, the Center on the United States and Europe hosted Professor Fabbrini for a discussion of compound democracies and the growing similarities between the U.S. and Europe. Eleanor Zeff, assistant professor of political science at Drake University, also provided remarks.

Brookings Visiting Fellow Federiga Bindi provided introductory remarks and moderated the discussion. After the program, panelists took audience questions.