Evolution and History of EU Flashcards
Firm basis of the subject of EU
Why was the EU created?
1) Incentivised to do so, rather than conquering each other. 2) World Wars - In order to prevent future wars, protect individual freedoms, co-operation economically
What happened between WW1 and 2?
Despite the EU being created the massive sanctions on Germany created a resentment, and the League of Nations was a nice idea but did not work. French Foreign Minister ‘lack of cohesion most serious obstacle in development of a universal peace organisation’
Post WW’s?
Created the Marshall Plan (Investing money into countries devastated by war, United Nations, Council of Europe which then in turn saw the beginning of the EU. Churchill thought of federalisation of Europe, France and Germany working together would show stability due to long time waring, and both being economically stable.
Schuman Declaration 1950
French and German produced of Coal and Steel placed under a high authority. It would make war impossible without the other knowing, mere 7 years after lead the way to further treaties which are similar.
Integration - Functionalism
Focuses on establishment of agency specific function with specific agencies which deal with the issues arising. Promotes co-operation. ‘Transcend national boundaries, beyond state afiliantions’ Lodge. Yet not democratic as purely technicality, many would have to deal with politics anyway
Integration - NeoFunctionalism
Effectively Functionalism but with political elites as mediators of the process. There is overspill into other types of law as well using this process. Lodge
Integration - Intergovermentalism
Neo-realist and Neo-rational place states at centre of process of integration. Meditation process whereby states promote integration where they are interested to do so. Unanimous Consent required.
Integration - Multi Level/Network Governance
Range of actors play a key role, no treaty adopted without all agreeing to it. States then play a key role but do not rule over day to day governance.
EEC
European Economic Community. Based on the ideas of functional integration, to create an ever closer Union. Overspill of Integration. Creation of common market - Tariff, VAT same everywhere, obstacles to trade abolished, Free movement of persons/services/capital. Establishment of Institutions in order to do this
EFTA (Same time as EEC)
UK, Norway, Denmark. 7 in total, yet most were tempted by EEC, UK attempted to join EEC yet rejected as President of France (De Gaulle) believed UK didn’t see themselves as European
Empty Chair Crisis
- Change from unanimous voting to qualified majority voting. Would mean countries could be out voted. De Gaulle stopped his ministers from attending meetings to halt process of integration, yet continued without them
Outcome of Empty Chair Crisis?
De Gaulle won second term, yet French lived through WW2 so wanted integration. EU endured through De Gaulle. Unanimous voting taken back, and replaced by Commission talking to MS’s which meant legislation slow to pass. Take legislation to court to pass instead, CoJ became motor for integration.
De Gaulle leaving
EU began to grow, 1973 UK, Denmark, Ireland, 1981 Greece, 1986 Portugal and Spain
Treaty on European Union 1992
Established name EU, meant common justice and home affairs through all MS’s. Trade have one voice. Common foreign/security policy. Economic and monetary union. New policies to develop power of EP and EC. Further enlargements occurred and further treaties as well
EU Constitution?
It would have sent out an important message. MS’s got together to decide what was in it. French and Dutch referendums on it rejected it. ‘Period of Reflection’ Treaty of Lisbon enacted not much different expect the lack of constitutional things (Flag, anthem)
