Globalization And The European Union

Globalisation is such a complex and broad topic with numerous aspects that it is described by academics in a large variety of ways although most of which overlap in one way or another. However, Stief (2014) simply describes it as a process that presents a connection and interaction between countries and nations particularly in economic, cultural and political aspects amongst others, with Trans National Corporations (TNC’s) such as McDonalds being increasingly present in Asia, or Spanish films being shown in New York as well as groups of countries coming together to create organisations such as the United Nations and European Union. Key characteristics of globalisation include improved technology, Non-Governmental Organisations, spreading of knowledge and importantly the movement of people and capital which this report will be focusing on. It is argued that globalisation would not be able to occur without the ease of movement of both capital and people between countries, but it is important to understand what effects globalisation has had on this integrated movement. European Union is an organisation that can be looked at when trying to find this as it is a closely integrated group of countries in Europe where the effects of globalisation are seen on a daily basis in almost all sectors of the member countries from education to healthcare. One of the numerous policies and agreements within the EU is the ability for both people and goods to move freely between

The EU sought to simplify trade within European neighbors and to replace national currencies with a single shared currency that could compete with the dollar on the global stage. The members of the newly-formed European Union agreed to a fixed currency conversion rate when the Euro was adopted (Scheller). Initially, the EU only had 11 members, but membership has since grown to 25 member nations. These 25 member countries operate within what is called the Eurozone, over which the European Central Bank sets economic policy

Prior to the introduction of the Euro there was a lot of debating to what extend the Euro could function in the Eurozone. Some of the criticism came from the OCA theory where it was argued that the euro zone was not an optimal currency area because of the regional disparities among the member states. A monetary policy that might be right for Germany and the Netherlands might not be as beneficial for countries like Spain and Italy. Other criticism originates from the period of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM). Before the Euro was introduced the Bundesbank had been running German monetary policy and because it was effective in maintaining low inflation rates, other countries were pegging their currencies to the Deutsche mark as well as they could. Therefore, a major concern also was on the

Most citizens of the euro area did not understand what they were losing when the Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992, and the euro introduced in 1999. You couldn’t see it until there was a serious recession—when the government really needed to use expansionary

There is controversy over when globalization began because there is no crystal clear start to globalization. Some people believe that globalization started when the Buddhist leader Chandragupta combined aspects of trade, religion, and military to create a protected trading area. Others believe that globalization began under Genghis Khan’s rule. The Mongolian warrior-ruler created an empire that had trade integrated into it. There are also some experts that believe that the rise of globalization was linked to 1492, the year Christopher Columbus made his first trip to the New World.

With the impending Presidential election consuming the American news cycle, major media outlets and the general public alike have neglected a growing crisis within one of the world's most important centers of commerce and culture. Despite the domestic rancor over stimulus packages, runaway debt and rampant unemployment which has inspired fierce political debate here in America, the fact remains that many European countries have borne the brunt of the global recession currently decimating national economies. The so called Euro Zone, a consortium of 17 neighboring nations which belong to the European Union (EU) and have adopted the Euro as their common currency, has experienced unimaginable financial disarray during the last decade. In the modern age of globalized economic structures, the increasing instability emanating from European markets is now threatening to spread to Asia, America and around the world.

When the Eurozone was founded on January 1, 1999, it was with the intention of further integrating and strengthening the nations of Europe, both economically and politically. Until recently, it was believed that the euro provided a stable currency with low inflation and low interest rates and encouraged sound public finance. That the use of a single currency increases price transparency, eliminates currency exchange costs, oils the wheels of the European economy, facilitates international trade, and gives the European Union a more powerful voice in the world. That the size and strength Eurozone would better protect it from external economic shocks, and provide the EU’s citizens a tangible symbol of their European identity, of which they can be increasingly proud as the euro area expands and multiplies these benefits for its existing and future members (European Commission).

One cannot understand the Greek Financial Crises and the general European Financial Crises without understanding the history of the European Union, the creation of the euro, and the Eurozone. The countries involved in the European Financial Crises were Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Ireland and Greece. The Maastricht Treaty created the European Union in 1993. The treaty gave citizenship to all people living in the 28 member countries. This treaty led to the creation of the Euro. In order to join the Eurozone, each member country must maintain sound fiscal policies. Essentially, each country must limit national debt to 60% of gross domestic product and limit annual budget deficits to a maximum of 3% of GDP. The main reason for the greater European Financial Crises and Greece 's crises was the country 's violated the treaty restrictions. Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Ireland and Greece were unable to maintain spending within these limits. Additionally, the European Union has a monetary union but does not have a fiscal union. Each member country maintains its own independent tax and spending policies. The absence of a common fiscal tax for every member country in the EU is the reason for the current crises.

In 1992, twelve countries came together and signed the Maastricht Treaty creating the European Union (Krajewska, 2014, pp. 6-25). The last obstacle that the EU had to face was the different currencies of each country, therefore a decade later on January 1, 1999 the Euro was created. Many countries that adopted the new currency fell within the Euro Area. Each country had to discontinue their old currency and the monetary policies giving control the newly formed European Central Bank (ECB), but each separate country still had their own fiscal policies one of the key reasons for the current debt crisis (Krajewska, 2014, pp. 6-25). The union of multiple countries into a central body seemed to be a wise choice for greater economic growth, but the failure from one country is a failure for all.

Background: From 2009 onwards several Eurozone countries have come under pressure from the financial markets as a result of rising debt levels, economic contraction and decreasing solvency indicated by all major rating agencies. Through raising funding prices on the markets and the lack of trust in these Eurozone members – they were not able to finance themselves to sustainable costs anymore. One country after the other (Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus) had to be “rescued” by the then established financial support measures such as the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). In exchange for these “bail-outs” countries had to fulfill certain economic conditions – mostly spending cuts – which led in turn to political change and instability.

The euro was introduced on the 1st of January, 1999 to foster economic integration and growth. The current member countries of the Euro are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. The Euro involves a single, fixed currency within the Eurozone area. The member states are required to adopt a common monetary policy set by the European Central Bank (the same interest rate and policy on quantitative easing). The Growth and Stability Pact was incorporated to set strict limits on government’s budget deficit, gross debt and price stability.

Along with every other nation around the globe, Germany has its own unique past. From the days previous to Bismarck to present time, the Germans have undergone significant trials and tribulations. Unfortunately for Germany the world will forever equate German history with Hitler and the Third Reich. As educated people, we need to be able to get past this stigma and appreciate the Germans for who they truly are. After the ending of the Second World War, Germany was divided in two: a free western Germany, and the communist East Germany. West Germany flourished while East Germany struggled to breathe under the heavy shadow of the Soviet Union. In 1990, after the Berlin Wall fell, Germany finally became one again with the union of East

The Eurozone, the economic and monetary union of 19 of the 27 member countries of the European Union, is far from excellent health. At the root of its multi-causal ailment is the Euro, one of the grander experiments in economics in modern history. The Euro sought to be the cornerstone of the multi decade campaign for the full unification of Europe in the ruble of World War II. Politicians conveyed magnificent ideals of full economic and

In 1999 the single currency the ‘euro’ was introduced and some countries abolished their separate currencies, these included Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Since then another five EU countries have adopted the currency, these being: Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia and Estonia. Fewer barriers within the market was a fundamental part of a more integrated Europe. Member countries were struggling to keep their currencies stable relative to the European currency

The world is becoming a smaller community through technological advances and international travel opportunities that make communication and interaction with others around the world a common occurrence. Some world leaders envision a global community that would lead to a one-world-order to include government and commerce. Globalization has been on the rise but is not shared and accepted by all. Nationalism continues to play a significant part in international interactions. With its goal of European unification for economic and political voice, the European Union (EU) can be used as a model for globalization. This paper will consider if using the EU as a model is a valid argument.