SUPRANATIONALISM

Supranationalism is a method of decision-making in political communities, wherein power is democratically entrusted to independent, experienced, appointed personalities or to representatives elected by the legislatures or people of the member states. Member-state governments still have power, but they must share this power with others. Because decisions are taken by majority votes, it is possible for a member-state to be forced by the other member-states to implement a decision. Unlike a federal state, member states fully retain their sovereignty and participate voluntarily, being subject to the supranational government only in the sectors agreed, according to those rules agreed for each sector and while they remain members.

The opposite method of decision-making in international organisations is intergovernmentalism where each state remains or feels unbound to previous decisions. In supranationalism, member states already agree on goals (such as peace and works of peace) and the methods for making decisions together.