IMMIGRANT AND ETHNIC-MINORITIES AND THE EUS DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT

This article explores the links between the development of European Un ion immigration policy and the frequently analysed 'democratic deficit '. It shows that immigration policy at EU level emphasizes tighter con trol of the numbers of immigrants and asylum-seekers, rather than the development of measures to combat racism and xenophobia. This emphasis stems from the provisions of the Single European Act, as free movemen t of EU nationals was seen as necessitating firm control of external f rontiers. The consequence of this policy, it is argued, is accentuatio n of both institutional and participatory aspects of the 'democratic d eficit'.