Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Europe, France and Germany collective obligations versus national interests.

Similar presentations


Presentation on theme: "Europe, France and Germany collective obligations versus national interests."— Presentation transcript:

1

2 Europe, France and Germany collective obligations versus national interests

3 Principles and implications What have been the principles behind European Union, the historical circumstances which led to their adoption and the measures which have resulted? What have been the principles behind European Union, the historical circumstances which led to their adoption and the measures which have resulted? What have been the effects of these principles and measures on the economics, cultures and ways of life in France and Germany? What have been the effects of these principles and measures on the economics, cultures and ways of life in France and Germany?

4 The premise That there are overriding historical and political reasons for France and Germany to align themselves with Europe… BUT That there are overriding historical and political reasons for France and Germany to align themselves with Europe… BUT That this imperative, linked to unforeseen external events, have had paradoxical consequences for the national lives of the two states. That this imperative, linked to unforeseen external events, have had paradoxical consequences for the national lives of the two states.

5 Basic tenets of European Union [1] The moral/historical imperative of post war construction: post war construction: - Churchills Zurich speech(1946) -Congress of The Hague (1948) -Preamble to the ECSC (1951)…

6 Basic tenets of European Union [2] The collapse of colonialism… The collapse of colonialism… France has ever ceased using, in various ways, the European enterprise – based on her reconciliation with Germany – as a vehicle for her ambition to exert influence in the world (Quermonne 2001)

7 Basic tenets of European Union [3] The link between economic management and democracy The link between economic management and democracy The Bretton-Woods Agreement (1944) The rise of monetarism (1980- ) Capitalism versus Capitalism (Albert 1991)

8 Basic tenets of European Union [4] Economic Stability, Cohesion and Convergence. Economic Stability, Cohesion and Convergence. -The ERM (1983-1993) -The Treaty of European Union - Maastricht (1992)

9 Progression to Monetary Union - The Maastricht Criteria Annual rate of inflation no more than 1.5% above that of the average of the three countries with the lowest rate Annual rate of inflation no more than 1.5% above that of the average of the three countries with the lowest rate Public deficit less than 3% of GNP Public deficit less than 3% of GNP Maintain narrow range of fluctuation – no devaluations for two years Maintain narrow range of fluctuation – no devaluations for two years Accumulated public debt less than 60% of GNP Accumulated public debt less than 60% of GNP Long-Term interest rates not more than 2% higher than the average of the rates of the countries having the greatest price stability Long-Term interest rates not more than 2% higher than the average of the rates of the countries having the greatest price stability

10 Basic tenets of European Union [5] Citizenship and the maintenance of human rights (Treaties of Maastricht [1992] and Amsterdam [1997]) Citizenship and the maintenance of human rights (Treaties of Maastricht [1992] and Amsterdam [1997]) The improvement of social protection in the workplace (Treaty of Maastricht [1992]) The improvement of social protection in the workplace (Treaty of Maastricht [1992])

11 Periods of growth 1945-1973les trente glorieuses 1945-1973les trente glorieuses 1983-1992Delors Europe 1983-1992Delors Europe

12 Points of Crisis the empty chair (1965) the empty chair (1965) the oil crises (1973)/(1978) the oil crises (1973)/(1978) shifts in government policy - Frances socialist experiment (1981-83) shifts in government policy - Frances socialist experiment (1981-83) German reunification (1990) German reunification (1990) Speculation and recession (1993) Speculation and recession (1993) Failed attempts to reduce public spending – France (1995) Failed attempts to reduce public spending – France (1995) 9/11 (2001) 9/11 (2001) Iraq (2004) Iraq (2004)

13 Europe at the turning point: the challenges for France and Germany An ageing population An ageing population Excessive labour costs combined with high expectations Excessive labour costs combined with high expectations Major regional disparities Major regional disparities The countryside in crisis The countryside in crisis State budget deficits State budget deficits


Download ppt "Europe, France and Germany collective obligations versus national interests."

Similar presentations


Ads by Google