The European Union27 countries

Supranational Organization•Organization that transcends state borders

Political Integration•States pool sovereignty•Political, economic, social benefits.•Share policies and rules.

THE UNITED NATIONS

• Established in 1945• 193 countries• “Peacekeeping”

capabilities (military)• Conflict Prevention• Humanitarian

Assistance• Forum for international

dialogue

THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

• Established in 1994• 153 countries– All major economies, but

Russia.

• Emphasis on FREE trade• Create and administer

trade agreements.

Three Pillars of EU

• Trade and economic matters.

• Justice and home affairs (borders, immigration, crime.)

• Common foreign and security policy.

Criteria for Membership

• Stable and functioning democratic regime.

• Market-oriented economy.

• Acceptance of EU laws and regulations.

Obstacles to a More Perfect Union

EU Timeline

• European Coal and Steel Community (1951)– 6 Countries– Single Market for coal and steel– Gradual elimination of trade barriers.– Containment during Cold War

• European Economic Community (1957)– Expanding beyond coal and steel.– Free internal trade.– Creation of external tariffs.

The EU Timeline

• European Community (1965)– Expanding beyond economics.– Included unified approach to atomic energy.

• European Union (1991)– Maastricht Treaty– Expanded authority into more policy areas.– Creation of common currency: THE EURO.

EU ORGANIZATION

The Commission• 27 members: One from each state.• 1 presidentRole• Each heads a “Directorate.” – Somewhat similar to a cabinet

• Initiates/proposes legislation• Oversee implementation of laws/programs

The Council of the EU

• Ministers from each state (i.e., Finance and Foreign ministers.)

• Meet depending on the issue.Role• Commission proposals must be approved by Council to

become law.• Voting– Number of votes per state roughly equal to pop.– Small states benefit

• Qualified majority voting– Majority of states must approve.– 255 of 345 votes must be cast.

Qualified Majority Vote

• Small states are over-represented.

President of the Council of the EU

• 6- month basis.• President is not a single

person, but a country.• Council meetings are chaired

by the relevant minister of the country holding the presidency.

• For example:– Environmental meeting

held in Aug 2012 is chaired by Cyprus’ Environmental Minister.

• http://europa.eu/about-eu/institutions-bodies/council-eu/index_en.htm

European Council

• Heads of government of all states• Sets overall political direction• Meet 2-4 times a year.• Has its own president elected to a 2 ½ year

term.– This president is an individual person.

European Parliament

• Members of European Parliament (MEP)– Voted by citizens– Number of seats per country based roughly on pop.

Role• Weakest part of EU • Legislative CODECISION– Approve and suggest amendments to Commission’s

proposals.– If Parliament rejects, Council can override veto.

European Court of Justice

• One justice from each country• Power of judicial review• View EU laws as supreme• Limits national sovereignty

Democratic Deficit

• Lack of public involvement

• Only Parliament is directly elected.

• Lack of accountability.• Low Political efficacy.

• Parliament– Directly elected

• Commission– Appointed by European

Council

• Council of Ministers– Appointed by head of

govt.

• Court of Justice– Appointed by states

European Central Bank• Manages the Euro

• Controls MONETARY POLICY– Money supply & interest rates.

• EUROZONE– 17 EU nations have adopted the

Euro.

• EU countries not in the Eurozone:– Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom

• 1 Euro = $1.30 (10/26/12)

“It’s All Connected: An Overview of the Euro Crisis.”

Bill Marsh. “It’s All Connected: An Overview of the Euro Crisis.” New York Times. 22 October 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/10/23/sunday-review/an-overview-of-the-euro-crisis.html?ref=greece

McDonalds and the EU

Answer the following for your article.1. Describe the conflict.

a. Argument of member stateb. Argument of EU

2. What EU institution is involved?3. How was the issue resolved?

McDonalds

• Member State:

• EU:

• EU Institution:

• Resolution:

Schengen Zone

• Est. 1985 (treaty signed in Schengen, Luxembourg)

• 25 states (not UK)• Single external border• Passport-free movement

• Some similar immigration rules.

• Enhanced police and judicial cooperation.

• http://www.civitas.org.uk/eufacts/schengenmap.html

Lisbon Treaty (2009)

Decrease Democratic Deficit• More legislative power to EU Parliament

Increase EU influence in World Affairs.• 2 ½ year term for European Council President.

(Different from Presidency of the Council of the EU).

• New Post: High Representative in World Affairs.

President of the Council of the EU

• 6- month basis.• President is not a single

person, but a country.• Council meetings are chaired

by the relevant minister of the country holding the presidency.

• For example:– Environmental meeting

held in Aug 2012 is chaired by Cyprus’ Environmental Minister.

• http://europa.eu/about-eu/institutions-bodies/council-eu/index_en.htm