Epilogue: Toward More Legitimate Multilevel Regulation

Abstract

International regulation are central to the multilevel interdependence often referred to as "Globalisation," "Europeanization" and the like. The rules span hard and soft law, authored by a range of intergovernmental, transnational and private organisations, including UN and EU bodies with wide or narrow mandates. Such multilevel regulation often has drastic effects on individuals' life plans and life chances, albeit indirectly and surreptitiously. Their impact, and even the mere suspicion thereof, raises a fundamental issue of normative legitimacy. With what right can these multifarious authorities expect subjects to comply? More precisely: can these new modes of regulation be justified, as a whole or separately, to all subjects regarded as equal members of the political order of which they find themselves a part? The present reflections address this question of normative legitimacy, and points out ways to improve multilevel regulation in this regard.

Keywords: multilevel regulation, multilevel governance, legitimacy, EU