Supranationalism and Devolution

Supranationalism Separate entity composed of three or more states that forge and association and from an administrative structure for mutual benefit and in pursuit of shared goals 20th century has witnessed establishment of numerous supranational associations in political, economic, cultural, and military spheres States have formed over 60 major supranational organizations

Beginnings Post WWI Woodrow Wilson proposes international organization including all the states of the world (League of Nations) After WWII United Nations created Currently has 191 member states Led to many subsidiaries: FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) WHO (World Health Organization)

Supranational Organizations Alliances, trade associations, and organizations designed to represent the interests of multiple states. Economic organizations - OPEC, EC, COMECON, NAFTA Political organizations - UN, OAS, Military organizations - NATO, ANZUS, Warsaw Pact

The European Union

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

WHO? Member States of the EU Austria Belgium Bulgaria 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

Candidate Countries Croatia Macedonia Turkey

Other European Countries Albania Andorra Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Georgia Iceland Liechtenstein Moldova Monaco Montenegro Norway Russia San Marino Serbia Switzerland Ukraine Vatican City State

What? European Union-an economic cooperation

When? Council of Europe – 1945 European Steel and Coal Community – 1959 European Community – 1965 European Union - 1993

WHERE? Current Map of EU Members

Why? To promote development within the member states through economic cooperation

Devolution

Devolution Movement of power from the central government to regional governments within the state Forces arise from several sources: Ethnocultural Economic spatial

Ethnocultural Nations within a state that define themselves as distinct ethnically, linguistically, or religiously Especially evident in Eastern Europe Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia succumbed to devolutionary pressures Leads to conflicts in places like Sudan and Sri Lanka

Economic Can also produce devolutionary pressures Examples: Catalonia, Spain: contains 6% of Spain’s territory, 17% of its population, but produces 25% of exports and 40% of industrial exports Italy: pressures to split north (wealthy) and south (less wealthy) Sardinia

Spatial Distance, remoteness, and marginal locations are allies of devolution Regions most likely to seek are those far from the capital Many separated by water, desert, or mountains Many islands are subject to these forces Corsica (France), Sardinia, Taiwan, Singapore (Malyasia), Zanzibar (Tanzania), Jolo (Phil.), Puerto Rico