Devolution and Supranationalism Ken Keller (2006) Dana Linton (updated and edited 2015)

What is happening to the world’s political geography? The traditional state is less important due to two forces: supranationalism and devolution. Supranationalism = formation of multi-state unions to benefit insiders and disadvantage outsiders, e.g. European Union was formed to improve the competitiveness of European economies Devolution = forces that divide and destabilize the traditional state. As UK joined the EU, Scotland and Wales sought independence and greater autonomy. In 1997, the Labor Party allowed them to vote and a majority favored greater autonomy. Scotland now has its own Parliament.

Supranationalism 60 supranational organizations, including the UN (increasingly impt. peacekeeping roles), NATO, EU, NAFTA (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), and Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Evolution of the European Union, the largest (besides UN) and economically most powerful supranational organization

Current Status of EU 28 countries, 503 million people 10 countries joined in 2004 Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 Croatia in 2013 Criteria for membership –Stable democracy that protects human rights –Functioning market economy –Civil service capable of applying EU rules and standards

EU - Symbols This is the European flag. It is the symbol not only of the European Union but also of Europe's unity and identity in a wider sense. The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States. There are twelve stars because the number twelve is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. The flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of EU enlargements.

Legend: EU Members; Blue = December 31, 2014 Acceding Members; Tanr = Candidate Countries.

Current EU Members Members of EU: Austria5) Belgium1) Bulgaria 7) Croatia 8) Cyprus6) Czech Republic6) Denmark2) Estonia6) Finland5) France1) Germany1) * Greece3) Hungary6) Ireland2) Italy1) Latvia6) Lithuania6) Luxembourg1) Malta6) Netherlands 1) Poland 6) Portugal4) Romania 7) Slovakia6) Slovenia6) Spain4) Sweden5) United Kingdom2) Year of entry: 1)1958 (founders), 2)1973, 3)1981, 4)1986, 5)1995, 6)2004, 7) 2007, 8) 2013 * After the German reunification in 1990, the former GDR territory joined the European Union. Albania, Iceland, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro are candidates for membership. The Union is also talking with Turkey about how it will join the EU.

What does the EU do? Frontier-free single market. Common currency (EURO) as of 2015 in 19 countries. Only Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom have declined to join. Support for less developed regions Freedom to move. Common rules about refugees and asylum seekers. Investments in science, new technology, space exploration, food quality, and sustainable development.

Advantages of EU Large market -- comparable to the U.S. Single currency (EURO) -- reduces problems of currency exchange and instability Power in negotiating world trade and peacekeeping agreements Free movement: A person who has a passport of a European Union country can live and work in any of the 28 member countries without the need of a work permit or visa. For example a British person can move to Greece to work there or just to live there and he or she does not need permission from an authority in Greece

EURO The euro is the legal tender for more than 330 million people in Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. The symbol for the euro is €. The euro is used also in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City, as well as in the Azores, the Canaries, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Madeira, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon, which are all part of EU countries using the euro. The euro notes are identical in all countries but each country issues its own coins with one common side and one side displaying a distinctive national emblem. Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City also have their own euro coins. All the notes and coins can be used anywhere in the euro area. Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom are not currently using the single currency. Even after joining the EU member States have to achieve certain criteria to be allowed to adopt the Euro. Some retail outlets in countries outside the euro area do accept payment in euro as well as the national currency, but they are not legally obliged to.

EU countries using the euro EU countries not using the euro

This coin shows Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the famous Austrian composer, depicting Austria as a land of music. Castles and Portuguese Coats of Arms are incorporated in the midst of the European stars symbolizing "dialogue... the exchange of values and the dynamics of the building of Europe". In the centre is a Royal Seal of 1144.

Forces of devolution Ethnonationalism = ethnic groups see themselves as distinct nations with the right to control their own territory. –Basque and Catalonia in Spain –Belgium contains Flemish (Dutch) and Walloon (French) populations –Soviet Union breaks into Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, etc. –Yugoslavia becomes Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Yugoslavia (Serbia + Montenegro) –Czechoslovakia. Slovakia’s population is 11% Hungarian – French Canadians –Sri Lanka where Hindu minority seeks independence from Buddhist majority

Scotland and Devolution map.htm

Scotland and Devolution In a 1997 poll, people in Scotland were asked whether they felt they were Scottish or British. They answered as follows: Belief that they were Scottish – 28% Belief that they were more Scottish than British – 35% Belief that they were equally British and Scottish – 29% Belief that they were more British than Scottish – 3% Belief that they were British and not Scottish – 3% No thoughts on the issue – 2% In 1999, the British Parliament agreed to allow Scotland to become more autonomous, especially with regard to self rule and issues related to paying taxes, thereby giving Scotland their own Parliament.

Economic Forces. Poor regions can feel disadvantaged by wealthier ones, or wealthier regions can feel put upon by subsidies to poorer ones. –In Italy, for example, the richer North pushed for autonomy from poorer South (the Mezzorgiorno). Despite subsides, the development gap is growing. –In Spain, Catalonians have 6% of territory, 17% of population, but 25% of exports, and 40% of industrial product. –Wealthier provinces of southern Brazil argue their tax money is being misspent by the government for assistance to Amazonia (the largest tropical rain forest in the world!)

Spatial Influences –Problems tend to occur at the edges or boundaries of countries. –Devolution is aided by distance, remoteness, and peripheral locations. –Islands are often problems, e.g. Corsica for France, Sardinia for Italy, Taiwan for China, East Timor for Indonesia, and Puerto Rico for the U.S. In 1997, native Hawaiians demanded return of rights lost during “occupation by the U.S.