Supranationalism and the European Union

Trends Devolution – Britain – decentralizing power of a unitary state Integration – states pool sovereignty to gain political, economic, social clout Conflict exists between the two ideas

Supranationalism United Nations World Trade Organization World Bank Regional Organizations Warsaw Pact NATO OAS Arab League OAU EU

The European Union Brief History 1949 formed 1957 Treaty of Rome – EEC created – forms common market 1965 EC created – tariffs, customs, atomic energy discussed 1991 – Maastricht Treaty – creates EU with focus on Trade and economic matter (euro) Justice and home affairs Common foreign and security policy

Membership 28 countries Enthusiasm for growth has waned New possible entries are Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey (problematic) – can a non-European nation join? Rapid integration causes issues Organizational issues Weak former communist nations who want to enter Older members who worry about influx of immigrants Enlargement fatigue Must abide by three factors: stable democracy, market economy, willingness to abide by EU laws and regulations

Organization The Commission – executive 28 members – 1 from each member state who wear allegiance to EU Initiate and implement new programs The Council of Ministers – legislative part 1 Heads of state who meet frequently as European Council, led by president (Donald Tusk) Vote based on proportion of population in home country European Parliament – legislative part 2 (weakest branch) Directly elected by the people every five years Can propose amendment and reject proposals from Council, but Council can override them European Court of Justice – judicial 28 justices have judicial review, decisions many limit national sovereignty Is more powerful than most national judicial systems of EU member states

Policymaking Power Rudimentary policies in: Defense Social policy Strong policies in: Creation and maintenance of a single market The union of their monetary policy A common agricultural policy Future policies may be in: Common defense Justice and Home Affairs Terrorism

European Constitution and the Lisbon Treaty 2004 created European Constitution – rejected by Dutch and French To save Constitution created Lisbon Treaty in 2007 that: Strengthened the role of the European Parliament Allowed for greater involvement of national parliaments Allowed for withdraw from the EU Created a permanent president European Council Introduced a Charter of Fundamental Rights Fear in shift from national to supranational institutions will create democracy deficit European Parliament is the only directly elected body and is weak Lisbon Treaty was rejected by Irish in 2008 – took until 2009 to gain ratification

Economic Issues Tension between economic liberalism and economic nationalism Sovereign debt crisis in Greece illustrates the problem EU and IMF agreed to large loan to Greece who in turn had to implement harsh austerity measures Greek economy is still fragile Bailout to them is controversial – especially among the Germans Has been discussion of economic structural adjustment of economies in trouble in the EU