EU Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are competences + example
Areas of policy over which the EY has authority
- agriculture and trade
What was eurozone and the when did it happen
11 countries abolished their national currencies and adopted euro - monetary policies for these states
e.g interest rates at European central bank
- 1999
QMV
voting system used by Council of EU when deciding policies - needs 55% of member states to vote in favour and these states must represent 65% of EU population
four freedoms
- movement of people
- movement of services
- movement of goods
- movement of capital
key aims of EU
- promote economic growth
- peace and stability
- individual rights and freedoms
- integration of an ever closer union
European council function and location
- quarterly summit meetings with leaders of all member states and chooses president to serve 5 year term
- sets agendas and defines EUs overall direction and priorities
• brussels
Oversaw brexit negotiations with UK, laying down EU’s terms
Formulated EU response to unrest in Ukraine and Russias threat
European commission function and location
- 27 commissioners (1 from each state) , nominated by national gov and approved by European parliament
- proposes new laws, manages policy, allocate funding, enforced EU law and internationally represents EU
- brussels
June 2020- announced 9% deduction in funding for Common Agricultural Policy
1982- issued the Seveso directive dealing with storage of dangerous substances in oil and chemicals industries to minimise risk of major accidents
Council of EU function and location
- gov ministers from each EU country, according to policy area in discussion (decided by national gov)
- main EU decision making body: negotiated and approved laws proposed by commission
- brussels, sometimes luxembourg city
- negotiated trade deals with non-eu states
• 2019- Japan
European court of justice function and location
- ultimate source of legal authority
- deals with requests for preliminary rulings from national governments
- rules on actions for annulment brought by individuals, companies and governments
- upholds EU laws, ensuring fair and uniform implementation
• luxembourg - each judge appointed for a renewable 6 year term
2020- General court overturned Commisions decision to block merger of UK telecoms O2 and Three
European Parliament function and location
- 700 members - directly elected by citizens every 5 years: number of MEPs per country determined by size
(e,g Germany=96, Malta=6) - approves annual EU budget, oversees work of EU institutions, confirms appointment of commissioners nominated by national gov, amends and vetoes EU legislation from commission and council of EU - can’t create own laws
• Strasbourg
Robaba Plumb - 2019 Romanian nominee - vetoed based on concerns with wealth declaration form
2019- approved new EU copyright law, includes controversial articles 11+13, required social media platforms to take more responsibility for copyrighted material
When did Uk get membership
1973
Treaty of Paris:
- date
- features
- benefits
- opposition
- 1951, implemented 1952
- established european coal and steel community
- established high authority to supervise market
- enabled common market in coal and steel = no tariffs and price transparency
- creates alliances, unionised europe, decreases independence and sovereignty
Treaty of Rome:
- date
- features
- benefits
- opposition
- 1957, implemented 1958
- Established European Economic Community
- created wider common market in other industries (e.g agriculture)
- laid foundations of an ever closer union
Maastricht treaty:
- date
- features
- benefits
- opposition
- concluded 1992
- created EU and timetable for economy and monetary union
- more organisation
- cooperation between member states in foreign policy
Lisbon Treaty:
- date
- features
- benefits
- opposition
- 2007, implemented 2009
- QMV extended to 45 areas in Council of EU (Ministers)
- Created important posts e.g present of european council and high representative of union for foreign affairs and security policy
- unelected european leaders
Brexit statistic
margin of 52-48 %
Has EU achieved its aims
Yes:
• peace (no world wars) and stability (wounds from wars healed - even after collapse of USSR)
• substantial economic growth in previously impoverished countries (e.g Ireland)
• expansion of competences
• intergation in policy (e.g food policy)
• enhanced protection for workers
• increased opportunity for easy travel within EU
No:
- smaller countries feel ignored and dictated by larger nations
- intergration causes growth in eurosceptism
- poor distribution of wealth within and between countries (inequality- single market over regulated)
- immigration caused problems waiting for asylum seekers, haven’t managed refugee crisis - no distribution ‘ brexit : end of 2024- 91K asylum cases awaiting trial
Effects of EU in UK
Parties:
- largely divided parties (e,g Tories)
• Johnson removed whip for 2 MPs : opposed brexit deals (cabinet collective responsibility)
Judiciary and Constitution:
- undermines parliamentary sovereignty
• 1990s Factor Tame cases: discussed a Spanish Fishing company’s right to fish in English waters
- Merchant Shipping Act 1988 (statute) vs EU law : Court in favour of EU law
Pressure Groups:
- EU (highest law) additional access point
- EU covers agriculture (competence) : NFU attempt to influence Commission (directives)
Referendums
- membership of EU has controlled 2/3referendums in whole UK
• EEC membership 1975: 66-33%
• EU withdrawal 2016: 52-48%
created controversy and division within britain
what is the EU
supranational political and economic union of 27 members - primarily in europe
