European Union - Governments & Politics of Western Europe
Why does the Council of Ministers not have a set group of ministers?
Because depending on the issue area being discussed, individual ministers of each member-states come to discuss that issue. Thus, if financial policy is being discussed, then the minister of finance in each country's government will meet at the Council of Ministers.
How did France know that the ECSC would prevent WWIII?
Because countries that trade together do not fight each other, thus helping to reconstruct the German economy was in their best interest, and having Europe rely on each other would prevent wars almost entirely.
Why did the European Economic Community experience ups and downs during the 60s, 70s, and 90s?
Because countries were trying to integrate further by joining the EEC to fight against economic crises and political enemies, but yet were not willing to give up sovereignty.
How is the European Council informally the most important council in the EU?
Because it is where the most powerful European leaders (prime ministers of each country) meet and decide the direction of the EU.
Why does Iceland not want to join the EU?
Because it never passed referendums in the country since most people, as well as elites, find themselves to be fine on their own.
Why did the ECSC specifically want to control coal and steel?
Because it would reconstruct the economy, but mostly to prevent a third world war from happening because these two vital resources are used for creating weapons.
Why is the EU not a federation?
Because its member-states are not equal in power, as bigger countries have more powers than the smaller ones.
How is the Council of Ministers the "champion of national interests" ?
Because ministers are not elected and go to represent their country's interest.
Why does Switzerland not want to join the EU?
Because of their powerful banking industry that they don't want to lose power over by joining the EU, as the EU controls the banking industry with their central bank and banking laws.
Why did it take until 1973 for the UK to gain membership to the European Community?
Because their application was rejected by the French president, de Gaulle.
Why didn't Spain and Portugal join the ECSC?
Because they couldn't join with fascist regimes.
Why didn't Denmark want to join the ECSC?
Because they didn't want to have anything to do with Germany after the war.
What are the EU institutions from strongest to weakest?
European Council Executive European Commission Legislation - Council of Ministers - European Parliament
What are the formal powers of the European Council?
Formally, the EC is actually quite weak in comparison to the European Council and the legislation.
What is the EU's worldshare in relation to the U.S. from 2004 to 2014?
In 2004, the EU made up 31.4% of the world GDP, while the U.S. made up 28.1%. In 2014, the U.S. had since closed the gap: 23.8% to 22.2%.
Is the EU sovereign over its member-states?
Yes, as the issue areas where the EU has the policy making sovereignty/responsibility, the EU law comes over national law.
What is the responsibility of presidents and prime ministers at the European Council?
Providing direction and determining priorities.
Is the EU a Regional Integration Organization?
Yes, but the powers given to the EU government fall between that of an RIO and a federal government.
What countries are trying to join the EU as of now and are in the candidacy stage?
Yugoslavian states
What is the Treaty of Maastricht (1991)?
The treaty that formally established the European Union.
The European Court of Justice is similar to the U.S. Supreme Court, but...
- The U.S. supreme court bases its ruling on judicial review of the constitution - The EU does not have a constitution - European Court of Justice bases its rulings on the existing treaties and laws - No life-time appointment for the European Court justices
What are the powers of the European Court of Justice?
1) It rules on the constitutionality of all EU law and on the conformity of new legislation with the existing treaties. 2) Gives rulings to national courts 3) Rules in disputes involving EU institutions, member-states, individuals, and corporations.
Why do not all EU countries use the Euro?
1. Because some countries have opted out of using it for their own currency apart of agreements with the EU (UK, Denmark, Sweden) 2. Because there are many requirements to becoming apart of the Eurozone, those of which many Central European countries do not satisfy.
What is the European Parliament not allowed to do?
1. It cannot introduce proposals for new laws 2. It cannot pass laws alone 3. It cannot raise revenues
Why did Britain stay out of the European Community in the 1950s?
1. It was the least affected by WW2 in that it was never invaded by Germany 2. They had a stronger relationship with the Commonwealth countries and the U.S. than countries in Europe 3. They produced little coal and steel 4. The new Labour government nationalized the coal and steel industry and did not want to share. 5. They were concerned about losing sovereignty.
Why did countries post-WWII want to integrate Europe?
1. To reconstruct the German economy, but at the same time contain its power. 2. To reconstruct the European economy 3. To ensure peace in Europe through Economic alliances and interdependence. 4. To lessen the threat of Soviet domination.
How many countries are apart of the Eurozone?
19/28 of the EU countries.
When did Denmark, Ireland, Norway, and Britain apply for membership to the European Community?
1961
When did the EU adopt a single-currency, and what is this currency called?
1999-2002, and it is called the Euro.
When did the European Council become its own separate institution?
2009
How many countries are apart of the Schengen Agreement/Zone?
26 countries, including Switzerland and Norway.
How many countries make up the European Union now?
28, but it will go down to 27 after the UK leaves next year.
How many citizens make up the European Union?
505 million
What is the term length and limit for the European Court justices?
6 year renewable terms
How many members does the European Parliament have?
751
What is an international organization?
A body that promotes voluntary cooperation and coordination between or among their members, but does not have autonomous power nor the authority to impose their rulings on their members.
What does the EU governmental system most closely resemble?
A confederal system
What was the result of the referendum on European Community membership in Norway in 1972?
A narrow majority voted against enlargement.
When did Britain finally gain acceptance to the European Community?
After De Gaulle's resignation in 1969, after which entry negotiations began in 1970 and ended in 1971, and finally gained membership in 1973.
What is the Council of Ministers?
An assembly of national government ministers from each country.
What was the European Coal and Steel Community?
An international organization formed by 6 founding states through the Treaty of Paris in 1951 to share and co-manage coal and steel.
Why is Norway not a member of the EU?
Because they don't want to give up their right to determine their own fishing industry, as they are world leaders in the fishing industry, and the EU controls this industry for member-states.
Why did France want Germany in the ECSC?
Because they had a huge amount of coal and steel, and France wanted to control it to prevent them from invading Europe again in the future.
Why does the Schengen Agreement not apply to Romania and Bulgaria?
Because they have weak borders.
Why did Britain decide to join the European Community later on?
Because they lost their strong connection to the U.S. and Commonwealth countries and Europe's economy was booming.
Why did France reject Britain's application to the European Community?
Because they wanted to retain their position as the most powerful country in the organization.
Why didn't Britain want to join the ECSC?
Because they were economically strong enough on their own and came out of WWII a lot stronger than the rest of Europe.
Why was the ECSC a better solution to reconcile differences than the Treaty of Versailles after WW1?
Because ti did not isolate Germany and take their resources, instead it resulted in countries deciding to share the resources and work together under the ECSC.
How do the heads of state that meet for the European Council usually meet?
Behind closed doors
How does the European Commission manage the EU's finances?
By writing the budget, collecting taxes, etc.
The U.S. Senate is to _____ as the U.S. House of Reps is to _____
Council of Ministers; European Parliament
What are regional integration organizations (RIOs)?
Countries that give up some sovereignty and power over some issue areas to a higher international, or supranational, body.
What are the 28 nations in the EU?
France Germany Italy Netherlands Belgium Austria United Kingdom Ireland Denmark Greece Portugal Spain Poland Luxembourg Sweden Finland Estonia Latvia Lithuania Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary Romania Bulgaria Slovenia Malta Cyprus Croatia
Essentially, why was the ECSC formed?
France wanted it the most so that it could not only reconstruct the European economy, but also control the coal and steel resources and its production.
What were the six founding states of the European Coal and Steel Community?
France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
What are some examples of non-governmental organizations?
Green Peace, International Red Cross
What is the role of the Council of Minister's president?
He acts as presiding officer over the council.
Describe the role of the president of the European Commission
He acts as the prime minister of the EU
What does the president of the European Commission act as?
He is essentially the Prime Minister of the EU
Describe the characteristics of the president of the European Commission president (nomination, terms, etc.)
He is nominated by the European Council, appointed by the European Parliament, and has a renewable 2.5 year term.
What was Churchill's opinion on the European integration project?
He supported integration, but was concerned with too much federalist powers for the European Community
How does the European Parliament look like a typical legislative branch?
It has: 1. directly elected leaders 2. A system of committees 3. A hand in adopting new European laws 4. Powers over the budget 5. Powers over other institutions
What is the European Council's president?
It is a position created in 2009 to represent the EU, but with roles that are not defined.
Who is apart of the Council of Ministers?
It is not a set group of people.
How has the EU changed policymaking wise since its origins?
It is responsible for many issue/policy areas ranging from agriculture, environment, economic/financial policies, to immigration, asylum, border security, etc.
What is interesting about the European Parliament?
It is the only directly elected institution in the EU (and the only directly elected international assembly in the world) and since 2009, it is equally as strong as the Council of Ministers.
What does the EU's institutions look like on the surface?
It looks like a country's bureacracy
How is the president of the Council of Ministers chosen?
It switches between all of the countries every 6 months.
What happened to Britain's second application in 1967 to joining the European Community?
It was rejected again by De Gaulle.
Who despises the position of the European Council's president and why?
Nigel Farage of the UK because he finds the position to be for a puppet.
Does a country have to be in the EU to be apart of the Schengen Agreement?
No
Can the EU kick a country out of the union?
No, but one can voluntarily leave.
Do EU member-states have to adhere to the Amsterdam Treaty?
No, they can opt out of the Schengen Agreement, as well as the Amsterdam Treaty.
How are the 27 commissioners chosen in the European Commission?
One from each member-state is chosen, then the president gives each a portfolio based on an issue area, such as agriculture, trade, environment, etc.
How long is the term for the European Council's president?
One-time renewable 2.5 year term.
What is a colloquial term for the European Economic Community?
The "common market"
What did the Treaties of Rome of 1957 do for the European Coal and Steel community?
The 6 founding states decided to share and co-manage other policy areas and to build up an economic union, creating the European Economic Community (EEC).
What is the "upper house" of the legislature in the EU parliament?
The Council of Ministers
What institutions of the EU have a president?
The European Commission The Council of Ministers The European Council
What is the "lower house" of the legislature in the EU?
The European Parliament
What is the basis for supranational politics in Europe?
The European Union
What is the colloquial term for the countries using the Euro currency?
The Eurozone
What is the "government" of the EU?
The Executive
What is the "parliament" of the EU?
The Legislature
What is considered the mother treaty of the EU?
The Treaties of Rome (1957)
What was the mother treaty that founded the European Community?
The Treaty of Rome
What countries have left the EU?
The UK is the first to attempt to do so.
What are some examples of intergovernmental organizations?
The UN and G-Summit
What is the European Council?
The assembly of European Union member states' heads of government.
What sets the EU apart from International organizations?
The fact that they are sovereign and can enforce their laws through the use of sanctions upon member-states.
What are the roots of the European Union?
The idea came about in 1950 when Schuman called for a European Coal and Steel Community.
What is the European Commission?
The institution of the EU that consists of a president and 27 commissioners who work on various issue areas and has combined executive and legislative powers.
What are the Schengen Agreement (1985)?
The treaty that made it to where only one Visa was needed to travel all throughout the EU, making it easier to travel, as passing through an country's border in the EU requires no stopping, like a border is not there.
What was the Amsterdam Treaty (1997)?
The treaty that made the Schengen Agreement law.
What are the official languages of the EU? How does this effect the EU?
There are too many to name; 24. As a result, every document must be translated in every language, and there is an ARMY of translators, which makes up the majority of employees in the EU.
What is the relation between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers?
They co-legislate
Where do EU laws come from?
They do not have a constitution, so laws instead come from the list of treaties that established the EU, including the Treaty of Paris, Rome, Maastrich, Lisbon, etc.
What are the powers of the European Commission?
They have powers to: 1. Initiate laws 2. Implement laws 3. Manage EU finances
What is the EU's world share of GDP in 2004? How did this change in 2014 and why?
They made up 31.4% of the world's GDP in 2004, but this decreased in 2014 to 23.8% because China became a world power over that 10 year span.
Where do the 28 member-states for the EU come from?
West, east, and central Europe
