The European Union miracle, mess or both?

In the beginning… Post-war French distrust of Germany but economic dependence on Ruhr valley coal. US push for greater Euro integration to speed economic recovery, heal political wounds, improve efficiency of Marshall plan ($13 billion or 5% of US GNP!). UK fear of supranational structures, loss of sovereignty.

Some History 1950 – Shuman plan: French-German coal and steel union –European Coal and Steel Community (France, W.Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands) – European Economic Community (EC) = customs union, Euratom. Rome Treaty. 1960’s – development of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – UK, Ireland, Denmark join EC (Norway rejects) – new members: Greece ’81, Spain +Portugal ’86, Austria, Sweden, Finland ’ – European Union created by Maastricht treaty – 3 pillar system (adding Common Security and Foreign Policy and Justice and Home Affairs).

~500 27

Key Structures European Council Led by “the Presidency” nation – six mo. rotation. –Head of State/Govt = EU Summit –Council of Ministers = ministerial level, e.g. the GAERC (Foreign Ministers)

European Commision –“Cabinet” of the EU –27 Commissioners, one per member state, specializing in different issue areas (agriculture, trade, environment, foreign and security policy, development, etc.) Led by Barosso CoRePer – EU member Ambassadors in Brussels PSC – junior Ambassadors to Policy and Security Committee (Solana).

Other Key Structures European Parliament -- Strassbourg members, direct national elections, seated by party affiliation –“Co-decision” = treaties, budget, legislation –“Assent” = appointments European Court of Justice -- Luxembourg European Central Bank -- Frankfurt

Key Concepts “Cohesion” policy – 37% of EU budget (E 44 billion in 20006).” 1997 Schengen Agreement – visa and tariff-free zone. EMU ~ the EURO, launched 2002 in 15 countries. Qualified Majority Voting: –Now: 74% of votes, 62% of population. –Lisbon: 55% of member states, 65% of population.

The Messy Part Undecided endstate: –United States of Europe or Integrated Union of Sovereign States? –Where does Europe end? Character of club changing with enlargement Structure inefficient – Lisbon treaty “Blame Brussels” phenomenon Enlargement fatigue No consensus vis Russia