The European Union

Question 1

What is the European Union (EU)?

Answer 1

• A political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe
• created to foster economic cooperation, develop a single market, promote peace, and strengthen political integration.

Question 2

What is the Single Market?

Answer 2

• The EU’s internal market allowing free movement of goods, services, capital, and people across member states
• removing tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade.

Question 3

What is EU supranationalism?

Answer 3

• The idea that some EU decisions are made by institutions above the nation-state level
• meaning national governments must sometimes abide by majority decisions made at the EU level.

Question 4

What is pooled sovereignty?

Answer 4

• When member states voluntarily give up some control over decision-making in certain areas to collective EU institutions in return for greater collective influence.

Question 5

What is subsidiarity?

Answer 5

• The principle that decisions should be made at the most local level possible
• only involving EU-level institutions when necessary.

Question 6

What is the role of the European Commission?

Answer 6

• Acts as the EU’s executive body
• proposes legislation, enforces EU laws, manages the budget, and represents the EU internationally.
• Commissioners are appointed by member states but are expected to act independently.

Question 7

What is the role of the European Parliament?

Answer 7

• The directly elected chamber that debates and amends legislation, approves the budget, and supervises the Commission.
• Uses co-decision procedure with the Council of the EU.

Question 8

What is the role of the Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers)?

Answer 8

• Represents member state governments
• ministers from each country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.
• Plays a key legislative role alongside the Parliament.

Question 9

What is the role of the European Council?

Answer 9

• Comprised of heads of state or government of each member state.
• Sets the EU’s broad priorities and direction. Does not legislate.

Question 10

What is the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)?

Answer 10

• Ensures uniform interpretation and application of EU law across member states.
• Can overrule UK laws when they conflict with EU law (before Brexit).

Question 11

What are the main aims of the EU?

Answer 11

• To promote economic integration, ensure peace and stability, support democracy and the rule of law, enhance the EU’s global influence, and protect workers’ rights and environmental standards.

Question 12

To what extent has the EU achieved economic integration?

Answer 12

• Largely successful
• the Single Market has boosted trade and investment
• the Eurozone integrates monetary policy (though the UK opted out)
• however, integration has caused tensions, e.g. during the Eurozone crisis.

Question 13

Has the EU promoted peace and stability in Europe?

Answer 13

• Yes
• post-WWII peace between European nations is a major achievement
• the EU’s democratic requirements for membership have encouraged liberal reforms in post-Soviet states.

Question 14

How effective has the EU been in enhancing international influence?

Answer 14

• The EU acts as a global trading bloc and negotiates trade deals collectively.
• However, its foreign policy is limited by differing national interests and a lack of a unified military capability.

Question 15

Has the EU protected citizens’ rights?

Answer 15

• Yes
• workers’ rights, anti-discrimination laws, consumer protections, and environmental standards have been strengthened.
• But critics argue it limits national autonomy and democratic accountability.

Question 16

What are criticisms of the EU’s aims?

Answer 16

• Claims of a ‘democratic deficit’, over-centralisation of power, and bureaucratic inefficiency.
• Eurosceptics argue the EU undermines national sovereignty and imposes unwanted laws.

Question 17

How did the EU affect UK sovereignty?

Answer 17

• EU membership required UK compliance with EU laws in areas of competence.
• Critics saw this as a loss of parliamentary sovereignty
• supporters saw it as pooled for mutual gain.

Question 18

In what areas did EU membership most influence UK policy?

Answer 18

• Trade and economic regulation
• agriculture
• fishing
• environment
• workers’ rights
• immigration.

Question 19

How did EU membership affect UK political parties?

Answer 19

• The EU caused deep divisions within major parties
• particularly the Conservatives (e.g. splits under Thatcher, Major, and during Brexit)
• and Labour (e.g. 1975 referendum, Blair’s pro-EU stance).

Question 20

What is the significance of the 2016 EU Referendum?

Answer 20

• Resulted in Brexit
• 52% voted Leave.
• It transformed UK politics

Question 21

How has Brexit changed UK-EU relations?

Answer 21

• The UK left the Single Market and Customs Union, reducing regulatory alignment.
• UK now faces new trade barriers and customs checks, affecting Northern Ireland, services, and goods.

Question 22

Has Brexit restored UK sovereignty?

Answer 22

• Legally, yes
• UK Parliament is no longer bound by EU law.
• But critics argue new trade dependencies and global realities still limit sovereignty

Question 23

What impact did the EU have on the UK judiciary?

Answer 23

• UK courts had to apply EU law where relevant and could refer cases to the CJEU.
• Post-Brexit, UK courts no longer refer cases, though retained EU law still influences some decisions.

Question 24

How did the EU affect UK devolution?

Answer 24

• Devolved governments had powers related to EU matters (e.g. agriculture, environment).
• Brexit created disputes over where repatriated powers should go, straining intergovernmental relations.