The European Union Fifty Years of Integration Kevin Troy
Early European Integration 1815-Congress of Vienna: Treaty ended Napoleonic wars Concert of Europe Klemens von Metternich Tenuous balance of power
The Decline of the Concert of Europe Liberalism Nationalism Imperialism Intra- and Inter-state conflicts (Revolutions of 1849, Austro-Prussian War, Franco-Prussian War) Development of entangled alliances Otto von Bismarck
The 20 th Century: Europe Disintegrates into Chaos : World War I : The Great Depression : World War II
After the Second World War, it was clear that the balance of power system which had dominated Europe for so long was no longer tenable. Instead of competing and counterbalancing, the nations of Europe began to move toward economic and political integration.
The Beginnings of Union 1952: Coal and Steel Community (West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France) Eliminated tariffs on coal and steel The ECSC
European Economic Community 1957: Treaty of Rome created to expand upon the goals of the Coal and Steel Community Goal was to work towards a Common Market—make Europe interdependent so war would be unfeasible The EEC in 1986
EEC ’s Common Market encouraged hope for political unity Nationalism frustrated political goal –1958: De Gaulle and the 5th Republic Withdraws French forces from NATO Independent French nuclear forces Economic prosperity -- sovereign states The EEC in 1986
Early Days of the EU 1992: Treaty of Maastricht established the EU and the goal of monetary unity Close referendums in member states reflected tension between Euroskeptic and pro-integration forces
Structure of the EU European Parliament (elected by the peoples of the Member States); Council of the European Union (representing the governments of the Member States); European Commission (driving force and executive body); Court of Justice (ensuring compliance with the law); Court of Auditors (controlling sound and lawful management of the EU budget).
Current Issues Euro: Not all members (including Britain) have adopted the common currency Growth and Stability Pact: Stringent budgetary and monetary rules that hamper Western European welfare states Common Defense/Foreign Policy: Especially after the divisions illuminated by Iraq, there has been discussion of the need for a common foreign policy Constitution: The most important issue, a constitution has been proposed that would centralize more authority in Brussels. Very controversial, especially in Britain Lithuania ratifies the Constitution, the first country to do so
EU Expansion Expansion under the EEC: : Denmark, Ireland, UK, : Greece : Spain and Portugal Expansion under the EU: -2004: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia -Prospective Members: Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey
EU Expansion Expansion under the EU: : Croatia - Turkey?
The Future The EU has several paths it could take. It will undoubtedly grow, but that growth could either strengthen the EU until it is a true voice for Europe and a major global power, or it could dilute the organization, making it unwieldy. This will largely depend on the steps the EU takes (or doesn’t take) towards political integration.