European Integration
6. Single European Act (1986-1987)
12 EEC members. First major revision of the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Setting the objective for the European Community to establish a single market by 31 December 1992. Codified European Political Cooperation (EPC), the forerunner of the European Union's Common foreign and Security Policy.
9. Nice Treaty (2001-2003)
Amended the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Rome. Reformed the institutional structure of the EU to allow for eastward expansion. Weighting of votes in the Council of the EU in favor of more populated member states. Size and composition of the Commission.
2. What was the rationale for establishing the ECSC and what problems did it aspire to solve?
ECSC = European Coal & Steel Community Make production more efficient (economies of scale) Formally established by Treaty of Paris (1951) after WWII; signed by Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Based on the principles of supranationalism (multi-national organization where the negotiated power is delegated to an authority by government of member states). Create a common market for coal and steel to neutralize competition between European nations over natural resources make war impossible.
Western European Union
Intergovernmentalism A defensive alliance that provided the framework for a creation of a European defense policy 7 countries
8. Amsterdam Treaty (1997-1999)
Made substantial changes to the Treaty of Maastricht, signed in 1992. Purpose was to reform the EU institutions to allow for future enlargement. More transparent decision making (increased use of the co-decision voting procedure).
5. Schengen Treaty (1985)
Originally signed by Belgium, France, West Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Provided for the creation of Europe's borderless Schengen Area starting in 1995. It proposed the gradual abolition of border checks at the signoratories' common borders. Measures proposed included reduced speed vehicle checks which allowed vehicles to cross borders without stopping, allowing of residents in border areas freedom to cross borders away from fixed checkpoints and the harmonization of visa policies.
10. Lisbon Treaty (2007-2009)
Purpose was the make the EU more democratic, more efficient and better able to address global problems with one voice. Stated aim was "to complete the process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam and by the Treaty of Nice with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the Union and to improving the coherence of its actions." Move from unanimity to qualified majority voting. More power to the European Parliament. Creation of a long-term President of the European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
1. Brussels Treaty (1948-1948)
Signed between Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, as an expansion t the preceding year's defense pledge, the Dunkirk Treaty signed between Britain and France. As it contained a mutual defense clause, it provided a basis upon which the 1954 Paris conference established the Western European Union (WEU). It also led to the formation of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization; military alliance). A goal of the treaty was to show that western European states could cooperate, thus encouraging the United States to play a role in the security of Western Europe.
2. Paris Treaty (1951-1952)
Signed between Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It established the ECSC, which subsequently became part of the European Union. Was seen as producing diplomatic and economic stability in Western Europe after WWII. Some of the main enemies of the war were now sharing production of coal and steel. This eased distrust and tensions.
4. Merger Treaty (1965-1967)
Signed by "The Six": Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and Netherlands. Combined the executive bodies of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the European Economic Community (EEC) into a single institutional structure. Creation of a single Commission and a single Council to serve the then three European communities. Repealed by the Treaty of Amsterdam (1999). Widely regarded as the real beginning of a modern European Union.
3. Treaty of Rome (1957-1958)
Signed by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany. Led to the founding of the European Economic Community (EEC: its aim was to bring about integration, including a common market. It proposed the progressive reduction of customs duties and the establishment of a customs union. It proposed to create a common market of goods, workers, services and capital within the EEC's member states. Established the European Commission.
7. Maastricht Treaty (1992-1993)
Signed by member of the European Community. Created the EU and led to the creation of the single European currency, the euro. Created a EU consisting of three pillars: (1) the European Communities; (2) Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); and (3) police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (JHA). Introduces the concept of European citizenship, reinforces the powers of the European Parliament and launches economic and monetary union (EMU). Has been amended by the treaties of Amsterdam, Nice and Lisbon.
European Defense Community
Supranationalism Would have established a pan-European military Never went into effect 6 countries
European Parliament
- Adopts legislation and budget together with the Council. - Supranational - 751 MEPs from member states directly elected on basis of PR - Roles - Amend EU law - Can now veto newly proposed legislation - Exert co-decision powers (with CoM) - Gained in power since first elections in 1979
European Commission
- Executive body: proposals and implementation - Supranational - Unelected politicians from each state - appointed ('democratic deficit') - Roles - Initiate legislation - Implement policies - Represent EU on international stage - Each commissioner responsible for directorate general - There have been cases of fraud (e.g. Santer Commission dismissed in 1999)
Council of Ministers
- Legislative body: adopting laws and coordinating policies. - Intergovernmental - Consists of ministers representing member states - Roles - Along with the European Parliament, it is a legislative decision-making institution - it deliberates and decides on legislative proposals put forward by the European Commission - It has a joint budgetary authority - Voting: QMV or unanimity depending on treaty provision.
European Council
- Provides general political directions and priorities - Intergovernmental - Comprised of Heads of State/Government of each member state - Roles - Takes high-profile decision such as specifying to Copenhagen criteria - Attracts mode media attention - One of the most democratic of the EU institutions as Heads of State/Government are elected by the public
9. List at least seven main EU policy-making areas.
1. Agriculture 5. Justice and Home Affairs 2. Environment 6. EMU 3. Foreign Affairs and Security 7. Cohesion 4. Enlargement 8. Science and Technology
• Three-pillar structure
1. European Communities: single market/supranationalism 2. CFSP: intergovernmentalism 3. JHA: even more intergovernmental
• Schuman Declaration
1950 governmental proposal by then French Foreign Minister to create a new form of organization of states in Europe called a supranational community led to ECSC.
TFEU
: more technical; how to operate on daily basis; how to vote; implementation of procedures.
• Transposition of EU Directives
A process by which the European Union's member states give force to a directive by passing appropriate implementation measures; process of implementation of EU legislation to national level.
• The 'subsidiarity principle'
According to this principle, the EU may only act (i.e. make laws) where action of individual countries is insufficient. The principle was established in the 1992 Treaty of Maastricht.
• Euro-Summit meeting
All heads of state of Eurozone countries - 2 times a year at least.
• The 'empty chair crisis'
As from July 1965, in opposition to a slew of Commission proposals addressing, among other things, the financing of the Common Agricultural Policy, France boycotted the meetings of the Council and insisted on a political agreement concerning the role of the Commission and majority voting if it were to participate again. This episode in European history is known as the "empty chair crisis". This crisis was resolved thanks to the Luxembourg compromise (January 1966), which states that "when vital interests of one or more countries are at stake members of the Council will endeavor to reach solutions that can be adopted by all while respecting their mutual interests."
• Structural Fund
Designed to bridge gap between rich and poor.
• The 'triple majority' and 'double majority'
Double majority voting is a form of QMV: (1) require the support of at least 55% of the Council of the European Union members; (2) who must also represent at least 65% of the EU's citizens.
3. What is the configuration of the Council of Ministers? Please give some example.
Each council configuration deals with a different functional area, for example agriculture and fisheries. In this formation, the council is composed of ministers from each state government who are responsible for this area: the agriculture and fisheries ministers. The chair of this council is held by the member from the state holding the presidency (see section above). Similarly, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council is composed of national finance ministers, and they are still one per state and the chair is held by the member coming from the presiding country. The Constitution makes the General Affairs Council responsible for ensuring consistency in the work of the various Council configurations. When meeting in this configuration, the Council prepares and ensures follow-up to meetings of the European Council. Configurations include: General Affairs; Foreign Affairs; Economic and Financial Affairs; Agriculture and Fisheries; JHA; Education, Youth, Culture and Sport; etc
• Benchmarking
Evaluation of something by comparison with a standard to encourage gradual improvement.
the three kinds of jurisdiction in the EU policy-making?
Exclusive Competence: Shared Competence: Supporting Competence:
• Four Freedoms
Free movement of goods, services, capital and people.
Common Market
Free movement of services, capital and labor.
• 'Flexible integration'
General term for the possibility of member states to have different rights and obligations with respect to certain common policy areas and refers to the possibility of the temporary or permanent existence of different levels of integration within the EU.
1. What were the attempts at European integration before WWII? How successful were they?
In 1929, Aristide Briand, French prime minister, gave a speech in the presence of the League of Nations Assembly in which he proposed the idea of a federation of European nations based on solidarity and in the pursuit of economic prosperity and political and social co-operation.
setbacks in the process of European integration in 1963 and 1965
In 1963 Charles De Gaulle famously vetoed the British application to join the European Economic Community. In 1965, De Gaulle withdrew French ministers from the Council, unable to pass legislation to allow UK to enter EU because of unanimity voting
7. Please explain why we can reasonably compare EU policy-making with policy-making in federal systems of government.
In a federal system, like the federalism of Germany, powers are predominantly shared (states can exercise federal powers where the federation has not already exercised them) between the levels of government, and the states participate strongly with decision making at the federal level. This is similar to the EU as competences are predominantly shared as well.
• European Economic Community (EEC/EC)
International organization created by Treaty of Rome (1957); aim was to bring about economic integration, including a common market, among 6 founding members of Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany.
Customs Union
Lift off or lower trade barriers between each other and agree to common kind of barriers with outsiders.
Free Trade Area
Lift off trade barriers between each other and maintain separate barriers with other countries who are outsiders to the FTA for restricting trade.
• 'Snake in the tunnel'
Limiting fluctuations of individual currencies before euro was introduced; the limits were too narrow and were therefore later widened.
• Ecofin
Meeting of all financial ministers - one of the configurations.
• Eurogroup
Meeting of all financial ministers of Eurozone countries.
Maastricht Treaty
Perhaps the greatest achievement of the Maastricht Treaty was the establishment of the European Union based on the three pillars, namely the European Communities, Common Foreign and Security Policy and Justice and Home Affairs. Another major achievement of the Maastricht Treaty was the establishment of the single European currency, the euro. The Treaty of Maastricht also introduced the concept of European citizenship, reinforced the power of the European Parliament and launched economic and monetary union (EMU).
• Fiscal Compact
Policy adopted as a result of Eurocrisis with aim of economic improvement and stability.
4. Explain the difference between 'Presidency of the Council' and 'President of the European Council'.
Presidency of the Council: every 6 months (different country). President of the European Council: permanent for 2.5 years - can be extended one more time.
• 'Trios' (three presidency teams)
Previous-current-future; work together to maintain continuity.
• Luxembourg Compromise
Resolved the Empty Chair Crisis.
• 'Spillover' effect
Spillover effects are economic events in one context that occur because of something else in a seemingly unrelated context.
• Alsace-Lorraine
Territory between France and Germany; went back and forth; sense of belonging.
Eurosclerosis' of 1970s
The "eurosclerosis" was a period of economic stagnation resulting in high skepticism of the EU
the Lisbon Treaty
The Lisbon Treaty's main purpose was making the EU more democratic, more efficient, and better able to address global problems with one voice. As with the Maastricht Treaty, the EP gained yet more power. The Lisbon Treaty created a long-term president of the European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs. The Lisbon Treaty also created a new body, the European External Action Service.
3. What were the key motivations that led the U.S. government to devise and offer the Marshall Plan to the European countries?
The Marshall Plan was the American initiative to provide economic support to help rebuild European economies after the end of WWII. The plan was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948. The goals of the United States were to rebuild war-devastated regions, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, and make Europe prosperous again.
• Intergovernmental Conference
The formal procedure for negotiating amendments to the founding treaties of the European Union.
• The Hague Congress of 1948
This congress recognized that it is the urgent duty of European nations to create an economic and political union in order to assure security and social progress. The Congress also discussed the future structure and the role of the Council of Europe. It also provided the means to heighten public opinion for European unity.
• Churchill's speech in Zurich of 1946
Winston Churchill calls for a "kind of United States of Europe" in a speech he gives at the University of Zurich.
TEU
draws a lot on Maastricht Treaty; incorporated EMU/single market.
• United States of Europe or Federal Republic of Europe
he United States of Europe (sometimes abbreviated USE) or Federal Republic of Europe is a name given to several similar hypothetical scenarios of theunification of Europe as a single sovereign federation of states, similar to the United States of America
2. What are the key aims and tools of the Competition Policy?
• Agreement that restricts unfair competition (e.g. monopolization or abuse of a dominant position). • Oversees mergers. • Efforts to open up market to competition. • Financial support for companies from the EU government. • Cooperation with national competition authorities in EU member countries. • Tools: the Commission.
4. What were the key motivations to set up the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund)?
• Aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU. • Focuses its investments in innovation and research, the digital agenda, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the low carbon economy. • Set up in 1970s; coincided with enlargement (UK and Ireland). Irish economy was very poor - first time a poor country joined the EU. Political reason (UK) - get support Bridge gaps to allow for common market.
6. What are the main differences between policy-making at the national level and at the EU level?
• Distance between legislation and execution of policies.
3. What institution oversees the monetary policy in the Eurozone, what are its objectives and tools available to achieve these?
• ECB • Objective: around 2% inflation to channel more money into the economy by increasing spending. Tool: interest rates.
1. What are the key aims and tools of the Cohesion Policy?
• EU's main investment policy. • Main responsibility: to mainstream environment into its programs and projects. • For 2014-20, sustainable development is reconfirmed as one of the key principles. • Tools: financial instruments.
Exclusive Competence:
• In some areas the EU has exclusive competence, where member states are unable to act independently, including: The customs union The competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market. Monetary policy for the Member States whose currency is the euro.
Supporting Competence:
• In these areas, the EU only plays a supporting role and the Member States are free to act, including: Culture. Tourism. Education.
5. What are the key roles of the Commission in the integration process?
• Pursues European interest. • Proposes legislation. • Ensure equal implementation of policies
Shared Competence:
• The majority of competencies are 'shared', meaning that member states may legislate only when the EU has not, or they may elaborate the laws of the EU provided their elaborations do not harm the objectives of the EU law. These areas include: Research and technological developments. Agriculture and the environment (when the EU has not exercised competence). Coordination of economic, employment and social policies.
2. What are the main powers of the European Parliament?
• Together with the Council, the EP adopts/amends proposals from the Commission. • Supervise work of the Commission. • Rejects/adopts draft budget. • Exert co-decision powers with the Council of Ministers. • Can force the Commission to resign. • Grill candidates for Commission.