The European Union

European Union SS6CG5a Describe the purpose of the European Union and the relationship between member nations.

Globalism The technology revolution has tied together people and nations more closely than before. It has contributed to the rise of globalism. This is the idea that the world’s economy and politics are all part of one big system. People and nations cannot stay separate from each other anymore.

European Union In different world regions, nations have joined together to form trading groups. Nations in Europe formed the European Union (EU) in Today, the EU nations form the world’s largest trading group. That gives them awesome power to control jobs and the price of many things you buy.

The Formation of the (EU) The EU is an economic and political confederation of 28 European nations. The confederation, does not replace existing states or governments. All members have agreed on some common institutions and to hand over some of their own decision-making powers to these institutional bodies. As a result, decisions on matters that interest all member states can be made democratically, accommodating everyone’s concerns and interests.

The Formation of the European Union (con ’ t.) Today, the EU is the most powerful regional organization in the world. It has evolved from a primarily economic organization to an increasingly political one. Besides promoting economic cooperation, the EU requires that its members uphold fundamen- tal values of: peace and solitary human dignity freedom equality

European Union Goals One goal of the EU is to unite Europe politically and economically. A second goal is to bring peace to a continent with a long history of conflict.

The US is much larger than separate European countries. When the EU countries combine, they have more people and a larger economy; they can compete in a global economy mill

European Union (EU ) Some people compare the EU with the United States around 1785, when the United States had little muscle. It had no president, no army, and no power to raise money. In many ways the EU is like that. By 1789 America’s original thirteen states agreed to give up some powers. They did it by approving the U.S. Constitution. The EU doesn’t have a constitution. Its members are joined by treaties, or written agreements. The EU is a conferation.

European Union (EU) One thing most EU members have agreed on is a common currency, the euro. In January 2002, most EU nations replaced their own money with the euro. Three nations: the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Sweden—chose not to make the switch immediately. Common currency makes trade between countries easier and less expensive. 12 countries in the EU do not use the Euro.

EU Members There are 28 members of the EU as of 2014.

Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom European Union Member 2014

Key Features of EU Free trade zone no tariffs (taxes) among member countries Freedom for citizens to live and work anywhere in the EU as long as they are not dependent on the state Free movement of capital between member nations A single currency Coordination of environmental policy A common agricultural policy and a common fisheries policy Funding for research Funding for aid to disadvantaged regions

EU Non-Members There are several countries that are NOT EU members, including Turkey, Switzerland, Iceland, & Russia WHY? Turkey’s culture (98% Muslim), stability, and location to the Middle East causes some EU members to not want Turkey to join Switzerland has one of the world’s highest standards of living and prefers its economy to not be regulated under the EU The EU has strict limits on the fishing industry, and Iceland does not want the EU’s control on its most important economic activity Russia prefers to be an independent world leader over its resources and economy

European Union and the United States The EU and the U.S. are friends, but there are differences. 1.The U.S. doesn’t trade with Cuba, Libya, and Iran. The EU nations want to be free to sell goods to anyone. 2. The EU puts limits on some U.S. companies that do business In Europe. Some Americans don’t think the EU should be able to tell U.S. companies how to run their businesses. 3. U.S. food companies wanted to grow genetically altered crops that resist disease. Many Europeans are afraid of health risks and some EU countries won’t allow those products inside their borders. 4. Global Warming: EU nations and the U.S. can’t agree on the best way to solve the problem.

Georgia Performance Standard SS6CG5 The student will explain the structure of modern European governments. (b) Describe the purpose of the European Union and the relationship between member nations.