The Role Of Normative Theories About Eu Integration

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.

When identifying the presence of a democratic deficit in the European Union, it is important to consider a range of factors, including international treaties and the effect they had on its structured governmental framework. One of the first official agreements established by the European Union (formerly

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.

Throughout the history of European integration, the major UK parties have debated on all different aspects of Europe and the impacts of membership on Britain itself. From both these debates and party policies, it is clear to see that whilst there is generally a consensus over Europe, some issues have been a cause of disagreement among the major parties. In this essay I will analyse the policies and actions of the major UK parties that concern the EU and be able to conclude to what extent they agree over Europe.

From a macro scope it is evident the EU is strong promoter democracy and has deeply embedded democratic features, however, as Peterson and Shackleton point out that “understanding politics always begins with understanding institutions not at least the EU”. Taking this advice the essay will seek to examine the two main legislative bodies within the EU,

The closer the link is between the citizens and government, the stronger the political culture and the people can be better represented. In the case of the EU, the democratic deficit hinders this relationship and contributes to contested democracy.

This hypothesis is that of national location. The philosophy behind this political positioning suggests that in an issue such as European integration there will be more variation seen in countries that have more diverse social and economic factors involved in policy making. The article suggests that with this hypothesis that issues will be decided on by parties potentially depending on what is in the best interest at tat time based on the national feeling that is present in their respective countries. This hypothesis is certainly well-founded in the idea of European integration as if national interests are largely in favor of integration it stands to follow that parties and policy would likewise be in favor.

     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

We can assume that a common European identity should construct a parallel between the Union’s institutions and the citizens, making them feel that the economic and administrative regulations of the Union are something that have to do with their rights and duties, with their identity. As the

As previously discussed, EU accession can be more broadly understood as a uniform membership approval process guided by the Copenhagen criteria for all prospects, applicants, and members. At a deeper level, the EU is dedicated to resolving uncertainties in the relationship between European states that fueled ages of conflict and mistrust in the past through the creation of a supranational European institutions guided by common European norms. Since the dynamics of these institutions are driven by common values and goals as outlined in the Copenhagen criteria above, norms drive contemporary trends in governance and EU integration.

Although contestation of the European integration process has been present since its inception; such opposition has traditionally been marginal and in the minority. The term 'Eurosceptic' means – in the broadest understanding of the term – being opposed to increasing the powers of the European Union, which is the much simpler definition of a very complicated phenomenon.

The European Union (EU) is not a typical international organization. The mix of intergovernmental and supranational institutions makes the EU a unique, distinctive political, and economic system. As Europe has spiraled from one crisis to the next, difficult discussions haves arisen about how much more power should be delegated to Brussels. Even though the EU advocates for “ever closer union”, through increased integration, states are becoming hesitant to relinquish power to the EU. This is due to the fact that state sovereignty has become threatened; it is being compromised by a combination of the lack of effective democratic institutions and the loss of states have lost control of law-making to legislation power to EU institutions. Euroenthuthiasts argue that state sovereignty is enhanced, not threatened, by reallocating power to EU institutions. However, Eurosceptics dispute that too much control has seceded to the EU making is a threat to state sovereignty. My position aligns with Eurosceptics, for the EU has weakened state sovereignty do to increased centralization of power in EU institutions that lack legitimacy. The European Project has obtained a copious amount of jurisdiction from states and eroded a basic fundamental freedom of the modern state- sovereignty. Since the EU has with goals to deepen and widen integration it’s clear that forfeiting state sovereignty will only intensify. My essay will start with a brief history of the European Union and a short

Realism is one of the prevailing IR theories. Still, in the context of European integration, it has struggled to tie in its assumptions with what caused integration and how cooperation has developed. However, several thinkers have given a realist account of European integration. Integration is an “exceptional event”

In 2004, the European Union sought to establish cordial partnerships with its immediate neighbouring countries. The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) is a set of policies aimed at approaching those immediate neighbours of the EU. As Article 8 of the Treaty of the European Union explicitly states: “The Union shall develop a special relationship with the neighbouring countries, aiming to establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on the values of the Union and characterized by close and peaceful relations based on cooperation.”

“Integration is a dynamic process, driven by a variety of forces and actors that, through their interactions, build and shape the institutional structure of the European Union.” This emergent political order was not an overnight, linear growth process but rather a “stop-go” system built on the steady development of a new political system with intergovernmental and supranational institutions and complex decision-making techniques. Fostered off the shared foundation for peace and unity, key integration players such as Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman were vital to the blueprints of integrative efforts with their respective contributions. While not perfect by nature, integration efforts have developed their individual advantages and