In the midst of an influx of migrants and an ongoing Euro crisis, the disunity of the current European union has become apparent. The implementation of a “United States of Europe” - a partially federalized system with a popularly elected president - has been proposed. The alternative to this system is the potential abandonment of the Euro, and consequently European integration altogether. In contrast, some argue that deeper political and fiscal integration is impractical, and that the existence of a United States of Europe is not within the political reality of various European states. The European Union as it currently exists is a half-hearted attempt at integration; both arguments ultimately advocate change. The existence of a United States of Europe would result in a detrimental loss of state sovereignty and presents an insurmountable challenge of unification on political, societal, and cultural levels. The sovereignty of separate European states is a crucial consideration in the existence of a United States of Europe - without sovereignty, states have no power or autonomy within the global system. There needs to be nearly absolute political and economic control over the European states in order for the system to function. However, the loss of sovereignty is a dominant concern for European states. Council President Herman Van Rompuy, in the video ASK ME: "United states of Europe" - not a political reality, references the difference between the United States and Europe
The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political partnership between 28 different countries. It consists of about half a billion citizens, and its combined economy represents about 20 percent of the world’s total economy (Briney, 2015). Today The European Union works as a single market, with free movement of people, goods and services from one country to another. There is a standard system of laws to be followed, and since 1999 many countries share a single currency called the Euro (Europa.eu, 2015). This essay will explore the background history of the European Union and the benefits and drawbacks of the European Union.
The EU was created in the midst of a war in attempts to unite Europe under a common government. After 43 years of rebuilding foreign affairs, have their attempts made a positive impact on the modern Europe? Many argue that the EU takes a toll on country's sovereignty. They lack in allowing countries to be apart of the union, without masking the unique culture and diversity of that country. Despite the advantages of being apart of the EU, the disadvantages highly outweigh them in the areas of economic, independence and cultural identity.
Europe now, for the first time in modern history, is a partnership sharing common values and a commitment to harmony and cooperation. The dream of European integration, shared by the United States, is now being realized, leaving behind us the wasteful era of wars, hostility, and inequalities. We are on the road to a Europe enjoying a unity and
In the event of an integrated Europe, constructivists recognize that to completely avoid conflict, each state will have to succumb to a “European identity” and all individual identities will have to become merely “cultural gems” within the European system. This, they argue, can be achieved with the success of several steps including economic, judicial, and security integration . The first step has already been attempted with the establishment of the Euro, the common European currency, which has been outperformed by its monetary competitors. A great amount of trust will have to be secured between states before a common court or army can be established, and most likely with as little success as the common currency. So, even by these simplified guidelines the outlook for the creation of a new “European
It is apparent that the states within the EU have a lot in common. In terms of political, social and economic goals, all states are heading in a similar direction. Furthermore the number of common policies is ever increasing, with a common civil service, a common European Security and Defence Policy and a supreme court, EU unification is very apparent. However each EU country is primarily interested in maintaining
On the 23rd of June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union (EU); an event now commonly dubbed “Brexit”. This decision means that the UK will be the first country to leave the common market that is the EU, where a common market is defined as a “group formed by countries within a geographical area to promote duty free trade and free movement of labour and capital among its members” (What is common market? Definition and meaning, 2017). Trade deals with other countries are organised by the EU on behalf of its member states, as well as the rules and regulations governing business activity within the common market. As a result, leaving the EU is likely to result in huge implications for small to medium sized
The first argument and a strong one that Hix makes is that the European Union should be seen as a political system rather than a state and he is correct as the European Union upholds many of the characteristics that a political system has. For example, there is transparency to some
The European Union (EU), formerly known as the European Economic Community EEC was created in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome. The Treaty of Rome was vital as the aftermath of the Second World War left many countries afraid of nationalistic conflicts due to territorial ambitions of nearby countries. Furthermore, many individuals believed that by merging Western Europe by democracy and common policies, they were better equipped to stand up to the threat of Soviet Dictatorship by political integration. The United Kingdom joined the EEC in 1973 and agreed to uphold the existing laws of the EU and the law making powers of the EU.
With regards to the European Union (EU), its democratic deficit attracts one of the highest levels of attention and discussion. Its importance is clearly seen in the Treaty of Lisbon’s preamble which states that it aims to “enhance the ‘democratic legitimacy of the Union”’ . The EU is the first and most advanced form of supranationalism – a regional or international institution with its own governing institutions and structures in modern history. Due to the EU’s unique characteristics, it is not easy to decide what the standards to evaluate democracy should be . However, for the purpose of this essay, the EU’s democratic performance shall be evaluated based on the principle of subsidiarity, accountability, representativeness and
The European Union (EU) is an economical and political union of nations, established in 1993,
One of the main objectives of the European Union (EU) is the establishment of the internal market, which shall consist of “area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured. The internal market is based upon a customs union achieved through the abolition of the imposition of customs duties and charges having an equivalent effect and the prohibition of discriminatory taxes on intra-EU imports. The internal market is enhanced by the provisions on free movement of workers, freedom of establishment, free movement of services, and free movement of capital. Whereas Articles 28 to 30 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provide for the establishment of an EU common external tariff and the elimination of customs duties, Articles 34 and 35 of the TFEU (with exceptions under Article 36) go further, and prohibit quantitative restrictions and measures having equivalent effect. Taken together, Articles 28 to 32 and 34 to 36 serve to ensure the free movement of goods within the EU and to facilitate the operation of the internal market.
The European Union (EU), a partnership of 28 European countries, evolved from the European Economic Community in 1957 that contained six original members, not including Great Britain. The primary objective of the EU is to increase trade and movement of goods, services, and people, and to ensure economic growth between these nations. It also enacts legislation relating to justice and international affairs. On June 23rd, 2016 the Brexit referendum was held. The decision to leave won with a small victory of 52% with almost 72% of eligible electorates vote (Wheeler, Hunt). The United Kingdom’s vote out of the European Union, also known as Brexit, can be traced back to the ideals from Enlightenment
The Union’s functions are spreading from purely economic and monetary up to the social and security matters; it has become an integral part of government for almost each European country.
European Union was formed with a lot of expectations. Despite closeness and similarities, the various nations of the European continent fought bitter wars for thousands of years within themselves. After the devastating World War II, finally everyone saw the light and decided to give a chance to peaceful coexistence. However, EU’s path hasn’t exactly been a bed of roses. Especially of late, too many critical problems have emerged, making some to question its very existence.
“From time to time it is worth reminding ourselves why twenty-seven European nation states have come together voluntarily to form the partnership that is the European Union.” 1