Is the word federal in the founding Treaty of Paris for the European Coal and Steel Community?
No. But the word ‘supranational’ appears twice. It is the first treaty in world history that is based on supranational principles. The supranational concept and supranational law is the main basis of subsequent EU development. The European Union (which does not have a legal personality; only the European Community does) is a mixture of supranational elements that are subject to law and proper democratic review and some intergovernmental elements which do not. How do classical federalism and supranationalism differ in conception? Federalism tries to coordinate and control by central organisms specific areas of life. Lower decisions can be decentralized. Supranationalism is much more specific in its choice of sectors. They are chosen by common consent as representing a means to arrive at common solutions to common problems. The supranational management can be relaxed once the problem is solved. It is more flexible and aimed at helping nations live together rather than creating a bureaucr
