Historical evolution of the European Union: from WWII to Brexit
8 important questions on Historical evolution of the European Union: from WWII to Brexit
Name the four institutions of the European Economic Community from 1957:
- The Commission (replaced the High Authority).
- The Council of Ministers.
- The Assembly (as of 1962 the European Parliament).
- Would eventually be directly elected by the people. - The Court of Justice.
- The law must be observed for the interpretation and observation of the treaties.
Deepening of the European Integration.
Treaty development resulted in:
Development of policy processes. Name the three most important developments of the policy processes:
- Decision-making has become more democratic: the growing power of the European Parliament.
- Decision-making has become more efficient (example: Council of the EU has come to vote less on the basis of unanimity).
- A new institution with mainly an agenda-setting role has been added: the European Council (regular meeting of the heads of government of the member states).
Describe the development of the three most important treaties concerning the economic integration of the EU:
- Coal and Steel only (1951).
- Nuclear energy, free trade and customs union (1957).
- Common market (1986).
- Establishing common standards for products.
- Liberalizing national economies (breaking up of monopolies).
- Preventing governments from subsidizing domestic industries.
- Increasing EU attention for employment, environment, consumer protection, working conditions, research, higher and professional education etc.
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What do the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) entail?
- Combatting social and regional inequalities that reduce economic growth.
Development of policies.
To a monetary policy, Economic and Monetary Union, late 1980s, adoption of a common currency, the Euro, in 1999.
Another development occurred in the 1990s. Describe this development:
- Increasing role in foreign and security policy, defence policy and justice and home affairs.
Widening of European Integration.
Widening (also called horizontal integration) = geographical spread due to accession of new member states.
Widening from 6 to 28 (now 27) Member States has occurred through consecutive enlargement rounds.
The widening of the EU also has a lot of impact. Describe 8 points of impact that the enlargements had to tackle:
- The growing size of EU institutions.
- More differentiation in policy-making procedures.
- Axis of Germany and France have become less important.
- New members bring new requirements, preferences and problems.
- The growing power of the EU.
- The introduction of the Copenhagen criteria in 1993.
After gaining their independence in 1989-1990 following the collapse of communism, most CEECs were soon openly expressing the hope that as the established liberal democratic and market-based systems the way would be eased for their accession to the EU.
In 1993 the Copenhagen criteria were enlisted. Name in short the 7 criteria:
- Democracy.
- Rule of law.
- Human rights.
- Protection of minorities.
- Market economy.
- Capacity to cope with competition in the EU.
- Willingness and ability to adapt the acquis communautaire (EU laws and policies).
From reluctance to application of the UK.
- 1958-1969: Seeking membership of the EEC.
Name three arguments why the UK sought membership in these years.
- 1969: The start of the negotiations that resulted in Britain's accession in 1973.
- The UK realized it was no longer a world power of the first rank.
- The relationship with the USA had changed.
- The Community was providing to be a success and the UK faced declining trade with the Commonwealth.
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