Abstract:
The paper examines the institution of consensus in the European Union. The article explains how consensus decision making operates in practice and why the consensus norm has been maintained. There is evidence that in the Council there is a cultural norm that dictates that decisions should be made by consensus. In must be stressed that consensus is defined as a cooperative process in which group members develop and agree to support a decision in the best interest of the whole. Formal vote is rare in the Council as a consequence of early consensus-building. Decisions are made predominantly pursuant to the informal rule of consensus. Such view of the EU-decision making does not ignore power and self-interest but contends that these factors are insufficient to understand bargaining outcomes.
