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Edexcel A Level Politics > C3: Regionalism & the EU > Flashcards

C3: Regionalism & the EU Flashcards

1
Q

What is regionalism defined as?

A

Creatio & implementation of institutions that express a particular identity and shape collective action within a geographical region.

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2
Q

What are some examples of regionalist institutions?

A

EU, NAFTA/USMCA, Arab League, ASEAN, African Union

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3
Q

What is the EU?

A

A political & economic union of 27 member states located in Europe.

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4
Q

What is NAFTA?

A

North American Free Trade Alliance - renegotiated to USMCA in 2018. Removed trade tariffs between USA, Mexico, and Canada.

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5
Q

What is ASEAN?

A

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

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6
Q

What is the AU?

A

African Union - group of 54 african states that try to promote unity across Africa & rid the continent of the remaining aspects of colonisation.

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7
Q

What is the Arab League?

A

A group of 22 middle-eastern states that band together to encourage cooperation and the pursuit of comon interests among Arab-speaking states.

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8
Q

What is Economic regionalism?

A

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.

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9
Q

What is Political regionalism?

A

When states that share the same values seek to protect them, and to enhance their voice on the international stage.

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10
Q

What is Security regionalism?

A

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.

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11
Q

What are the strengths of economic regionalism?

A
  • 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
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12
Q

What are the weaknesses of Economic regionalism?

A
  • Some individual states cannot compete effectively in larger markets
  • Outsourcing of jobs
  • Dominance of TNCs
  • ‘Race to the bottom’ through further globalisation
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13
Q

What are the strengths of political regionalism?

A
  • Increased political leverage as part of a bigger club
  • Voluntarily pooled sovereignty
  • Cooperation on global issues
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14
Q

What are the weaknesess of political regionalism?

A
  • Regionalism is the same as globalisation - increased trade = economic issues
  • Intergovernmental institutions undermine democracy
  • Sovereignty is undermined
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15
Q

What are some arguments for more regionalism?

A
  • 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
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16
Q

What are some arguments for less regionalism?

A
  • 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
17
Q

In what ways does regionalism impact sovereignty?

A
  • Surrender political decisions to regional institutions
  • Extrenal decisions ceded to the institution
  • Internal sovereignty decreased
  • Zero-sum; some sovereignty will be lost
18
Q

In what ways does regionalism not impact sovereignty?

A
  • 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
19
Q

In what ways is the EU typical of a regional institution?

A
  • Started as a free-trade agreement
  • Promotes cooperation
  • Encourages peace & prosperity
  • Encourage development
20
Q

In what ways is the EU atypical of a regional institution?

A
  • Has the greatest political integration of any regional institution
  • Regional Parliament
  • Binding laws on member states
21
Q

What is the European commission & what is its role?

A

28 commissioners, one from each country but giving up their national loyalties.
Proposes laws & the EU budget, oversees EU law.

22
Q

What is the European Council & what is its role?

A

Heads of government of the member states, makes key political decisions & sets the agenda

23
Q

What is the Council of the European Union?

A

Ministers from governments of the member states - Passess amends and rejects legislation

24
Q

What is the European parliament?

A

751 directly elected MEPs from the 28 member states - Approves commission legislation

25
Q

What is the Court of Justice of the European Union?

A

1 judge from each member states, interprets EU law

26
Q

What are the main dates in the expansion of the EU?

A
  • 1958 - ECSC set up
  • 1973 - UK joined the EU
  • 1995 - Neutral western democracies joined after the Cold War
  • 2004 - former soviet satellite states joined
27
Q

What are the key treaties of the EU?

A
  • Rome 1957 - Set up the EEC
  • Single European Act 1986 - Made provision for the single market
  • Maastricht Treaty 1992 - Made the change from the EEC to the EU.
  • Amsterdam 1997 - Strengthened powers of the EU
  • Lisbon 2007 - More powers for the Commission & Parliament, etc
28
Q

What is Qualified Majority voting?

A
  • Voting system used in some aspects of the EU
  • 55% of members representing 65% of the population have to agree for something to be passed
29
Q

In what ways is the EU a political superpower?

A
  • Global political voice
  • 2009 - High Representative for Foreign affairs became a role
  • Enlargement - Member states all have to conform to EU standards
30
Q

In what ways is the EU not a political superpower?

A
  • 27 members, different interests
  • Some try to resist intervention
  • Lack of singular executive
  • Not represented in the UNSC, just as France
31
Q

In what ways is the EU an economic superpower?

A
  • 3rd largest economy to GDP
  • Largest single market
  • Represented at WTO, G20, G7
  • Global trade agreements
  • Strong economic hard power
32
Q

In what ways is the EU not an economic superpower?

A
  • TTIP (trade agreement with the USA) failed
  • Eurozone crisis; Greece 2015
  • Not all in Eurozone
33
Q

In what ways is the EU a Military superpower?

A
  • CFSP - common foreign policy
  • Increased military spending & integration
  • Most nations are members of NATO
  • Mali 2012-present
  • Rapid reaction force
34
Q

In what ways is the EU not a military superpower?

A
  • No official EU army
  • Not all EU members of NATO
  • Different defense priorities
  • Not a single entity in conflicts
35
Q

In what ways does regionalism resolve issues?

A
  • Shared interests & cooperation
  • Promotes prosperity
  • Makes war less likely
  • Promoted international stability
  • Can set global examples through success
  • States still retain sovereignty
36
Q

In what ways does regionalism not resolve issues?

A
  • Erosion of sovereignty causes nationalist backlash
  • EU; supranational laws
  • Economic instability in the EU
  • Alternative institutions that regionalist institutions

Edexcel A Level Politics (18 decks)

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