C3: Regionalism & the EU

Question 1

What is regionalism defined as?

Answer 1

Creatio & implementation of institutions that express a particular identity and shape collective action within a geographical region.

Question 2

What are some examples of regionalist institutions?

Answer 2

EU, NAFTA/USMCA, Arab League, ASEAN, African Union

Question 3

What is the EU?

Answer 3

A political & economic union of 27 member states located in Europe.

Question 4

What is NAFTA?

Answer 4

North American Free Trade Alliance - renegotiated to USMCA in 2018. Removed trade tariffs between USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Question 5

What is ASEAN?

Answer 5

A group of states in south asia that banded together as a protection from USSr & China influence in the 1960s - now an economic & political union

Question 6

What is the AU?

Answer 6

African Union - group of 54 african states that try to promote unity across Africa & rid the continent of the remaining aspects of colonisation.

Question 7

What is the Arab League?

Answer 7

A group of 22 middle-eastern states that band together to encourage cooperation and the pursuit of comon interests among Arab-speaking states.

Question 8

What is Economic regionalism?

Answer 8

Regionalism that focuses on the financial and trade aspects of regional cooperation. These types of organisation are often trade blocs. Most countries now belong to a regional trade bloc.

Question 9

What is Political regionalism?

Answer 9

When states that share the same values seek to protect them, and to enhance their voice on the international stage.

Question 10

What is Security regionalism?

Answer 10

When regional organisations try to achieve peace and security through one of two methods; interdependence between member states, or binding together member states against a common enemy.

Question 11

What are the strengths of economic regionalism?

Answer 11

Trade blocs increase trade and improve economies
Trade blocs allow more international leverage and comparative advantage
Big benefit for TNCs
Nations can stand up to TNCs through regionalism
More consumer choice, cheaper prices
Smaller states have a voice and can be competitive - e.g. Malta access to markets through the EU

Question 12

What are the weaknesses of Economic regionalism?

Answer 12

Some individual states cannot compete effectively in larger markets
Outsourcing of jobs
Dominance of TNCs
‘Race to the bottom’ through further globalisation

Question 13

What are the strengths of political regionalism?

Answer 13

Increased political leverage as part of a bigger club
Voluntarily pooled sovereignty
Cooperation on global issues

Question 14

What are the weaknesess of political regionalism?

Answer 14

Regionalism is the same as globalisation - increased trade = economic issues
Intergovernmental institutions undermine democracy
Sovereignty is undermined

Question 15

What are some arguments for more regionalism?

Answer 15

Problems that led to the formation of regional institutions have not gone away; still need solving
Security still a key concern; Russia
Regionalism does solve some problems

Question 16

What are some arguments for less regionalism?

Answer 16

Real democratic support for ‘taking back control’
Regionalism appears to benefit TNCs more than usual people
Co-operation does not need to be through formal institutions
Many regional institutions have achieved little in reality

Question 17

In what ways does regionalism impact sovereignty?

Answer 17

Surrender political decisions to regional institutions
Extrenal decisions ceded to the institution
Internal sovereignty decreased
Zero-sum; some sovereignty will be lost

Question 18

In what ways does regionalism not impact sovereignty?

Answer 18

Legally free to leave the organisation
Pooled sovereignty can be withdrawn
Gives smaller nations a bigger voice
Pooling sovereignty leads to greater influence on the global state

Question 19

In what ways is the EU typical of a regional institution?

Answer 19

Started as a free-trade agreement
Promotes cooperation
Encourages peace & prosperity
Encourage development

Question 20

In what ways is the EU atypical of a regional institution?

Answer 20

Has the greatest political integration of any regional institution
Regional Parliament
Binding laws on member states

Question 21

What is the European commission & what is its role?

Answer 21

28 commissioners, one from each country but giving up their national loyalties.
Proposes laws & the EU budget, oversees EU law.

Question 22

What is the European Council & what is its role?

Answer 22

Heads of government of the member states, makes key political decisions & sets the agenda

Question 23

What is the Council of the European Union?

Answer 23

Ministers from governments of the member states - Passess amends and rejects legislation

Question 24

What is the European parliament?

Answer 24

751 directly elected MEPs from the 28 member states - Approves commission legislation

Question 25

What is the Court of Justice of the European Union?

Answer 25

1 judge from each member states, interprets EU law

Question 26

What are the main dates in the expansion of the EU?

Answer 26

1958 - ECSC set up 1973 - UK joined the EU 1995 - Neutral western democracies joined after the Cold War 2004 - former soviet satellite states joined

Question 27

What are the key treaties of the EU?

Answer 27

Rome 1957 - Set up the EEC Single European Act 1986 - Made provision for the single market Maastricht Treaty 1992 - Made the change from the EEC to the EU. Amsterdam 1997 - Strengthened powers of the EU Lisbon 2007 - More powers for the Commission & Parliament, etc

Question 28

What is Qualified Majority voting?

Answer 28

Voting system used in some aspects of the EU 55% of members representing 65% of the population have to agree for something to be passed

Question 29

In what ways is the EU a political superpower?

Answer 29

Global political voice 2009 - High Representative for Foreign affairs became a role Enlargement - Member states all have to conform to EU standards

Question 30

In what ways is the EU not a political superpower?

Answer 30

27 members, different interests Some try to resist intervention Lack of singular executive Not represented in the UNSC, just as France

Question 31

In what ways is the EU an economic superpower?

Answer 31

3rd largest economy to GDP Largest single market Represented at WTO, G20, G7 Global trade agreements Strong economic hard power

Question 32

In what ways is the EU not an economic superpower?

Answer 32

TTIP (trade agreement with the USA) failed Eurozone crisis; Greece 2015 Not all in Eurozone

Question 33

In what ways is the EU a Military superpower?

Answer 33

CFSP - common foreign policy Increased military spending & integration Most nations are members of NATO Mali 2012-present Rapid reaction force

Question 34

In what ways is the EU not a military superpower?

Answer 34

No official EU army Not all EU members of NATO Different defense priorities Not a single entity in conflicts

Question 35

In what ways does regionalism resolve issues?

Answer 35

Shared interests & cooperation Promotes prosperity Makes war less likely Promoted international stability Can set global examples through success States still retain sovereignty

Question 36

In what ways does regionalism not resolve issues?

Answer 36

Erosion of sovereignty causes nationalist backlash EU; supranational laws Economic instability in the EU Alternative institutions that regionalist institutions