1. The European Union 2

2. The European Union

3. Enlargement

4. Enlargement
Increase in the membership of the EU, May 2004, from 15 – 25 members
More states wanting to join – Turkey, Ukraine, Croatia, Romania
Impact
Greater opportunities
Greater diversity
Greater challenges?

5. Enlargement Enlargement brings new countries with new problems
Poverty, unemployment, regional economic problems, different cultures and different employment regimes present problems to EU policy makers

6. Constitution
The enlargement of the EU has necessitated negotiating a new Constitution – not just for now but to cater for future expansion of the EU
Decision making – how should it be made and by who? Voting rights of members? Majority voting? Vetoes?
Subsidiarity – the principle that decision making should be made as far as possible at local level rather than the EU legislating for all
But:
Economic impact – EU already dominates legislation in a wide variety of areas

7. The Role of the EU

8. The Role of the EU What should the role of the EU be?
Enabling economies and the free market to operate more efficiently?
Legislating to correct market failure?
Acting as a benevolent dictator for the common European good?
Two key areas of EU policy with regard to the Social Agenda:

9. Poverty

10. Poverty in the EU
Impact of a Europe-wide ageing population – pensions, health care
Discrimination – against ethnic minorities, women, the elderly, disabled
Establishing the extent of welfare provision – incentives v protection (safety net)
Establishing a minimum income scheme – the lessons of the CAP?
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was successful in raising agricultural output across Europe but at a huge cost to EU taxpayers. Could intervention by the EU in relation to minimum income schemes have the same results; is such intervention desirable and do the ends justify the means?
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11. Unemployment

12. Unemployment in the EU Several members with unemployment problems
Fiscal, supply side and monetary policies can be used by the EU to combat such problems
What are the consequences?

13. Unemployment in the EU
Policies that affect the labour market could help protect some but cause problems to others
Will such intervention lead to a less flexible labour market?
Will this limit the freedoms provided by the single market to encourage free movement of labour across the Union?
Will it lead to government failure on a Europe-wide scale?