Reconciling the Interconnectedness and Autonomy of European Union Democracies

How can contemporary democracies be ‘internationally ordered’ in ways that combine their interconnectedness with a form of internal autonomy where their citizens are free, equal and effective in using their democracies to accord one another rights and obligations, and control their own laws? I use two justifications for political authority to consider that question. The one, associated with David Hume, suggests an instrumental justification for political authority as a means of providing essential collective goods. The other, associated with Immanuel Kant, holds political authority to be justified by rights and duties. I use the two to suggest where the Union can be of service to member democracies in reconciling their interconnectedness with their autonomy.