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European Union
What’s the difference between Europe & the European Union?
Europe European Union
Current Member States…27 of them
AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIreland
ItalyLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaNetherlandsPolandPortugalRomaniaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenUnited Kingdom
EU in 5 minutes
EU population in the worldPopulation in millions, 2007
497
1322
128 142
301
EU China Japan Russia United States
The European Union: 493 million people – 27 countries
USA population?
The area of the EU compared to the rest of the world
Surface area, 1 000 km²
EU China Japan Russia United States
16 889
9327 9159
4234
365
The EU symbols
The European flagThe European anthem
Europe Day, 9 May
The motto: United in diversity
23 official languages
Eight enlargements
1952 1973 1981 1986
1990 1995 2004 2007
Notice the pattern of growth.
What is the European Union?Collection of countries which are
economically dependent on each otherGoal is to eliminate trade barriers, promote
trade and give Europe a collective voice.
No more tariffs…
French Foods
German Cars
Italian Fashions
It is easier to for these itemsto diffuse acrosscountry borders.
No more border control…
What used to once look like this…
And when you needed one of these…
Now looks like this…
WARis how some would summarize Europe’s history.
List of wars in Europe since 1200 A.D
Why is it unlikly that there will be another major war in Europe today?
MONEY!
European countries today are so intertwined economically that it would devastate their economies to go to war with each other.
ECSC to EEC to EUSince 1950 many agreements have been made between the members, making them more dependent on each other1958 became the European Economic Community
1993 became the European Union
Additionally more countries have been added
1973- Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom
1981 – Greece 1985 – Greenland granted
“home rule” from Denmark and decided to leave
1986 – Portugal and Spain
1995 – Austria, Finland, and Sweden
2004 – Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia,
2007 – Bulgaria and Romania
2004
2007
2004
2004
1995
EnlargementNotice the movement
of membership gradually moving
Eastward…
What do all the members of the European Union have in common economically?
They are all developed countries.
Membership requirementsDemocratic law, respect for human rights
Competitive market economy“you like us, and we like you” feeling
Why are the Eastern European countries the last to join the EU?
2004 2007
Their economies were far behind Western Europe’s since they had Communist/command economies for almost 50 years.
West German Mercedes and Volkswagon
Russian Lada and East German Trabant
BenefitsEach country’s economy is
stronger by being a member (their money is more valuable around the world, especially if they use the euro)
Together the EU has a larger “voice” to speak to the rest of the world
Free movement of workers
The euro – a single currency for Europeans
EU countries using the euroEU countries not using the euro
Can be used everywhere in the euro area
Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common Notes: no national side
How rich is the EU compared to the rest of the world?
EU China Japan Russia United States EU China Japan Russia United States
10 793
1 326
3676
468
10 035
24 700
6 400
27 800
10 000
37 300
Size of economy: Gross Domestic Product inbillion of euros, 2006
Wealth per person: Gross Domestic Productper person in Purchasing Power Standard, 2007
Lack of bordersThis speeds assimilation of culture since
people are encouraged to travel more often and perhaps even live in other countries within the EU
Increases the need to learn more than one language
Security risks?
Why wouldn’t you want to join?
Non-MembersSwitzerland – has a strong economy that
it believes would not benefit from joining the EU, has a desire to be neutral in international disputes
Norway – wants to protect, not share, its fishing waters, and oil revenues since this is a large portion of its GDP… has actually applied a few times but always withdraws application because Norwegians voted against joining
Future Members?
Croatia, Macedonia, and Turkey are in the
application process
MoroccoWhy are they not in the EU?
Their application has been denied on the basis of geography.
Where is Morocco?
Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia Iceland – people may not want to
join; fishing rights (33% in favor)
Montenegro – waiting…they want to join
Serbia – issues with recognizing Kosovo. Some think the EU is trying to use EU membership as a bargaining chip.
Macedonia
Why has Macedonia not been accepted yet?
It’s all in the name.
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)
TurkeyWhy are they not in the EU?
Geographic reasons Only part in Europe
Size (would be 2nd largest EU country)Religion (unofficial reason)
The world wide recession since 2008s strained relations in Europe.
The Germans have poured billions of euro’s in to Greece to keep the economy from collapsing.
Lavish social programs and early retirements are breaking the Greek government as they go deep into debt.
Many European countries are simply spending more money than they have.
The Greek economy would have collapsed if the Germans hadn’t bailed them out.
The future of the EU, like the USA, depends on working out of the worldwide recession.
That can only happened by cutting spending, raising taxes, or a combination of both.
What would you do?