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Politics of the UK > The EU > Flashcards

The EU Flashcards

(46 cards)

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1
Q

What are the original aims of the EU?

A

Economic Recovery and prosperity, Reinforcing democratic values, achieving reconciliation across member states.

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2
Q

What are 5 current members of the EU?

A

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland.

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3
Q

Which countries are currently trying to join the EU?

A

Bosnia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine.

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4
Q

What are the stages of becoming an EU member?

A

Application, negotiation, accession.

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5
Q

What happened to the EU in 1951?

A

Treaty of Paris.

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6
Q

What did the Treaty of Paris do?

A

Established the European Coal and steel community, allowing a common market in these industries.

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7
Q

What happened to the EU in 1973?

A

Enlargement Round 1. Denmark, Ireland, and the UK joined the EEC. Greece, Spain and Portugal joined after.

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8
Q

What happened to the EU in 1985?

A

The Schengen Agreement.

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9
Q

What did the Schengen Agreement do?

A

Created the single European market, removing internal border controls, creating a single travel area. The UK and Ireland opted out.

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10
Q

What happened to the EU in 1992?

A

Maastricht Treaty.

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11
Q

What did the Maastricht Treaty do?

A

Created the EU, and established a timetable for economic and monetary union, as well as increased co-operation between member states.

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12
Q

What happened to the EU in 1995?

A

Enlargement round 2. Austria, Finland and Sweden joined, having a total of 15.

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13
Q

What happened to the EU in 1999?

A

Eurozone created.

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14
Q

What was the Eurozone?

A

Eleven countries adopted the Euro, and abolished their national currencies - Monetary policies were now in the hands of the European Central Bank. Four countries didn’t sign.

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15
Q

What happened to the EU in 2004?

A

Enlargement Round 3. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined.

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16
Q

What happened to the EU in 2016?

A

The UK left the EU, and became the first member state to leave. Left the EU with 27 members.

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17
Q

What are four freedoms of the EU?

A

Freedom of movement of: People, Services, Capital, Goods.

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18
Q

What impact do these freedoms have on the EU?

A

Provide the cornerstones of the single market, and strengthen trade within the EU.

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19
Q

What are the wider aims of the EU?

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A

Peace and Stability, Promotion of Economic Growth, Promotion of individual rights and freedoms, integration of the union.

20
Q

What are the examples of peace and stability within the EU?

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A

Has ensured a peaceful transition to democracy in eastern Europe. Helped Germany in recovery after WWII. Invested in infrastructure after the collapse of the USSR.

21
Q

What are the Economic benefits of the EU?

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A

Some previously impoverished countries have enjoyed substantial growth. The single market has helped create millions of jobs.

22
Q

What are the economic disadvantages of the EU?

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A

Wealth inequality has risen substantially within the EU. Some states needed bailout, but suffered from being tied to the Euro.

23
Q

What are the benefits of the EU promoting individual rights?

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A

Increased opportunities for easy travel, reciprocal healthcare - EHIC. Chance to study abroad - Erasmus scheme. Enhanced workers’ rights.

24
Q

What are the disadvantages of promotion of individual rights?

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A

Some EU countries are more willing to take migrants than others.

25
What are the examples of the EU promoting integration?
Expansion of competences, expansion of QMV, common EU passport, EU flag.
26
In which ways have the EU achieved its' aims?
Single Market has promoted economic growth, co-ordinated large scale support at times of financial crisis. Ordinary people have benefitted from the expansion of workers' rights.
27
What are the ways in which the EU hasn't achieved its' aims?
Single Market is overregulated, EU labour market could be seen as too rigid, some EU institutions lack democratic accountability. National governments take the lead on foreign affairs.
28
What are the executive branches of EU institutions?
National governments, heads of state, President of the European council, European commission.
29
What are the legislative branches of EU institutions?
National parliaments, European Parliament, Council of the EU.
30
What are the Judicial Branches of EU institutions?
European Central Bank, European Court of Justice, European Court of Auditors.
31
What are the responsibilities and functions of the European Council?
Proposes new laws, manages EU policies, allocates EU funding, enforces EU law, represents the EU internationally.
32
What is the size and democracy of the European Council?
27 members - one for each state. Democracy - President is elected by the European parliament, following European elections, meaning it's not directly elected.
33
What are the responsibilities and Functions of the Council of the EU?
R - Discuss, amend, and adopt laws, co-ordinate policies. F - Co-ordinates economic policy, negotiates laws proposed by the European Commission.
34
What is the size and democracy of the council of the EU?
No set size, as its' made up of government ministers from each EU country, according to the policy area on the agenda. Council isn't directly elected, but each country rotates presidency.
35
What are the responsibilities and functions of the European Council?
R - Brings together EU leaders to set the overall agenda, representing the highest level of political co-operation. F - Doesn't legislate, but is strategic, and defines the overall agenda.
36
What is the size and democracy of the European Council?
Leaders of all member states are involved - 27. The president of the European Council isn't elected, but by the members, and members are elected in national elections.
37
What are the responsibilities and functions of the European Parliament?
R - Passing EU laws, deciding on international agreements and enlargements. F - Approves the annual EU budget, amending and vetoing EU legislation, confirming appointment of commissioners.
38
What is the size and democracy of the European Parliament?
705 members, number of MEP's determined by the size of a country. The European Parliament directly elects its' members in elections every 5 years.
39
What are the responsibilities and functions of the court of Justice of the EU?
R - Interprets EU law to ensure its' applied in the same way in all EU countries settle legal disputes. F - Upholds EU laws, as the ultimate source of legal authority.
40
What is the size and democracy of the Court of Justice of the EU?
27 judges, one from each member state. Each judge appointed for a 6 year term. Judges are appointed by national governments, not elected by people.
41
What is a democratic deficit?
A situation where institutions and their decision making procedures may suffer from a lack of democracy and accountability.
42
Why has the EU been accused of having a democratic deficit?
Only one of the parts of EU institution where decisions are made is directly elected.
43
How did the EU affect parliamentary sovereignty?
Parliamentary acts were not able to conflict with EU law. EU legislation took precedence. It took away some elements of parliamentary sovereignty, as parliament was no longer supreme.
44
How did the EU affect government?
It was harder for government to bail out struggling industries, government legislation had to align with EU law, government kept control over health and education.
45
How did the EU affect judiciary?
UK judges had to give precedence to EU laws, Supremacy was given over acts of parliament.
46
How did the EU affect political parties?
Labour used to be the most divided on Europe, It then became the conservative party, this was a reason the conservatives lost the 1997 election.

Politics of the UK (5 decks)

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