Chapter 7: The European Union

THE EU

2. It is a SUPRANATIONAL ORGANIZATION
Teacher say what?

THE EU

2. It is a SUPRANATIONAL ORGANIZATION An authority that transcends national borders

THE EU

2. It is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries.

Europa

THE EU

3. Which countries are members of the EU?

You are to fill in the Blank Map of the EU with the names of all Member Countries

THE EU

THE EU

CHARTER MEMBERS 1957 France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands

THE EU

1973- Britain, Ireland, Denmark 1981 Greece 1986 Spain and Portugal 1995 Finland, Austria, and Sweden

THE EU

Historic 2004 Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia

THE EU

2007 Bulgaria and Romania

THE EU

Member Candidates: Turkey, Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

THE EU

On the outside but not really looking in: Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Lichtenstein

Thinking About The EU

4. Key Questions How and why did the EU emerge? What is its political culture and how does it shape the way people participate in its political life? What are the main decision-making bodies? What are its critical public policy initiatives? How do the European people learn about and react to those policies? How will the EU and its institutions be affected by broadening and deepening?

Thinking About The EU

5. Three Pillars of the EU - EC = Trade and economic cooperation Cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs (social) Create a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)

Thinking About The EU

6. Mission of the EU:

provide peace, prosperity and stability for its peoples; overcome the divisions on the continent; ensure that its people can live in safety; promote balanced economic and social development; meet the challenges of globalization and preserve the diversity of the peoples of Europe; uphold the values that Europeans share, such as sustainable development and a sound environment, respect for human rights and the social market economy.

Thinking About The EU

6. Is the EU a STATE? Yes DUE TO: Flag Logo Governing Bodies

Thinking About The EU

6. Is the EU a STATE? Yes DUE TO: 3 Active Capital Cities in Brussels, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg (FR)

Thinking About The EU

6. Is the EU a STATE? Yes DUE TO: Major world powers have embassies in Brussels devoted to EU relations

Thinking About The EU

6. Is the EU a STATE? Yes DUE TO: A Common Currency The Euro

6. Is the EU a STATE? NO DUE TO: Euro not accepted as common currency all over No common Lingo No single government / policy makers

Thinking About The EU

Thinking About The EU

6. Is the EU a STATE? NO DUE TO: Some nations are not fully invested or accepting of the EU concept Public Opinion is not fully supportive either

TREATY OF PARIS 1951

Agreement between France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg to create the European Coal and Steel Community

TREATY OF ROME 1957

Agreement between F, WG, I, N, B, and L to create the EEC European Economic Community. Called for a progressive reduction of custom duties / tariffs and the creation of a COMMON MARKET of goods, workers, services, and capital among members

TREATY OF ROME

SINGLE EUROPEAN ACT 1986

1st major revision of the Treaty of Rome Goal was European Integration and the completion of the Internal Common Market Amended powers of Institutions and changed voting rules from unanimity on all issues to Qualified majority Voting on some issues (efficiency)

SINGLE EUROPEAN ACT 1986

MAASTRICHT TREATY 1991-1992

A series of Amendments to existing treaties Created the concept of the EU Introduced concept of a single currency (EURO) Extend European coverage to 3 pillars:
1.) EC traditional economic areas 2.) Justice and Home Affairs 3.) CFSP

MAASTRICHT TREATY 1991-1992

Treaty of Amsterdam 1997

Called for substantial changes to Maastricht Most important was the codification of the membership rules: 1.) Stable democratic government 2.) market based economy 3.) Acquis Communaitaire

Treaty of Amsterdam 1997

TREATY OF NICE 2001

Amended the Maastricht Treaty and Treaty of Rome Reformed EU institutions to allow for expansion Increased number of seats in EU Parliament Called for reduction in # of Commissioners Called for change voting rules to QMV w/ DM

TREATY OF NICE 2001

LISBON TREATY 2009

Amended existing EU and EC treaties Goal More efficient EU Amended voting rules to be QMV with Double Majority of states and people (Dual Legitimacy)
DM = 55% of states representing at least 65% of population of EU

LISBON TREATY 2009

Created a President of the European Council elected to a 2.5 year term Increased powers of institutions to protect freedoms and security Made the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into Primary EU Law

LISBON TREATY 2009

LEGITIMACY
LEGITMACY = 1.) The Numerous treaties and referendum processes 2.) its efforts to promote trade, economic growth, and economic stability. 3.) Its methods of representation both of nations and of citizens 4.) Its requirements of unanimity and qualified majority voting

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
1. European Integration is a political and economic process open to ALL European nations 2. Any European state may apply to become a member of the Community

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
3. Then it is a process of negotiation between the candidate country and the European Commission 4. Acceptance into the EU requires a unanimous vote of all member states in the Council

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
5. Next, the European Parliament must give its Assent by positive vote of absolute majority 4. Then finally, the new member states must ratify all EU treaties according to the states constitutional procedures (Like by referendum of the citizens)

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE -See the Copenhagen Criteria of 1993 and the Amsterdam Treaty of 1997
Each new member state must have the following:

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE 1. Stable democratic institutions with guarantees for rule of law, human rights, and respect for / protection of minority rights

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE 2. A functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE 3. Acquis Communautaire - The ability to take on and accept the body of laws and regulations of the EU as well as have a public administration capable of applying and managing EU laws in practice

Popular Culture and Participation in the EU

Few people identify themselves first as European. Key EU organizations are still superficial Democratic deficit Lack of common language