C3: Regionalism & the EU Flashcards
What is regionalism defined as?
Creatio & implementation of institutions that express a particular identity and shape collective action within a geographical region.
What are some examples of regionalist institutions?
EU, NAFTA/USMCA, Arab League, ASEAN, African Union
What is the EU?
A political & economic union of 27 member states located in Europe.
What is NAFTA?
North American Free Trade Alliance - renegotiated to USMCA in 2018. Removed trade tariffs between USA, Mexico, and Canada.
What is ASEAN?
A group of states in south asia that banded together as a protection from USSr & China influence in the 1960s - now an economic & political union
What is the AU?
African Union - group of 54 african states that try to promote unity across Africa & rid the continent of the remaining aspects of colonisation.
What is the Arab League?
A group of 22 middle-eastern states that band together to encourage cooperation and the pursuit of comon interests among Arab-speaking states.
What is Economic regionalism?
Regionalism that focuses on the financial and trade aspects of regional cooperation. These types of organisation are often trade blocs. Most countries now belong to a regional trade bloc.
What is Political regionalism?
When states that share the same values seek to protect them, and to enhance their voice on the international stage.
What is Security regionalism?
When regional organisations try to achieve peace and security through one of two methods; interdependence between member states, or binding together member states against a common enemy.
What are the strengths of economic regionalism?
- Trade blocs increase trade and improve economies
- Trade blocs allow more international leverage and comparative advantage
- Big benefit for TNCs
- Nations can stand up to TNCs through regionalism
- More consumer choice, cheaper prices
- Smaller states have a voice and can be competitive - e.g. Malta access to markets through the EU
What are the weaknesses of Economic regionalism?
- Some individual states cannot compete effectively in larger markets
- Outsourcing of jobs
- Dominance of TNCs
- ‘Race to the bottom’ through further globalisation
What are the strengths of political regionalism?
- Increased political leverage as part of a bigger club
- Voluntarily pooled sovereignty
- Cooperation on global issues
What are the weaknesess of political regionalism?
- Regionalism is the same as globalisation - increased trade = economic issues
- Intergovernmental institutions undermine democracy
- Sovereignty is undermined
What are some arguments for more regionalism?
- Problems that led to the formation of regional institutions have not gone away; still need solving
- Security still a key concern; Russia
- Regionalism does solve some problems
What are some arguments for less regionalism?
- Real democratic support for ‘taking back control’
- Regionalism appears to benefit TNCs more than usual people
- Co-operation does not need to be through formal institutions
- Many regional institutions have achieved little in reality
In what ways does regionalism impact sovereignty?
- Surrender political decisions to regional institutions
- Extrenal decisions ceded to the institution
- Internal sovereignty decreased
- Zero-sum; some sovereignty will be lost
In what ways does regionalism not impact sovereignty?
- Legally free to leave the organisation
- Pooled sovereignty can be withdrawn
- Gives smaller nations a bigger voice
- Pooling sovereignty leads to greater influence on the global state
In what ways is the EU typical of a regional institution?
- Started as a free-trade agreement
- Promotes cooperation
- Encourages peace & prosperity
- Encourage development
In what ways is the EU atypical of a regional institution?
- Has the greatest political integration of any regional institution
- Regional Parliament
- Binding laws on member states
What is the European commission & what is its role?
28 commissioners, one from each country but giving up their national loyalties.
Proposes laws & the EU budget, oversees EU law.
What is the European Council & what is its role?
Heads of government of the member states, makes key political decisions & sets the agenda
What is the Council of the European Union?
Ministers from governments of the member states - Passess amends and rejects legislation
What is the European parliament?
751 directly elected MEPs from the 28 member states - Approves commission legislation
