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1
Q

What is the finalité of the EU?

A

How a person views the finalité of the EU impacts heavily how European integration should work and how it’s looked at.

This concept relates to the ultimate aim or purpose of the European Union.

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2
Q

What is subsidiarity in the context of the EU?

A

EU cannot enforce laws, law enforcement is controlled by nation-states.

Subsidiarity is a principle that dictates that decisions should be made as closely as possible to the citizens affected by those decisions.

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3
Q

What was the pillar structure of the EU before 2009?

A

The pillar structure included three pillars: European Communities, Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Justice and Home Affairs.

This structure was dissolved by the Lisbon Treaty.

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4
Q

What significant change did the Lisbon Treaty introduce regarding the pillar structure?

A

The Lisbon Treaty dissolved the Maastricht pillar system, merging Pillar III into Pillar I while keeping Pillar II mostly unchanged.

This change aimed to simplify the functioning of the EU.

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5
Q

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Treaty signed in October 2004?

A

It was refused by France and The Netherlands, leading to the basis for the Lisbon Treaty.

The rejection was due to fears of a constitution.

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6
Q

What does Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty entail?

A

It establishes the right for a member state to withdraw from the EU.

This article became particularly relevant during Brexit negotiations.

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7
Q

What is the role of Inter-Governmental Conferences (IGCs) in treaty negotiations?

A

IGCs are the primary platforms for negotiating treaties within the EU.

These conferences involve member states’ representatives discussing treaty modifications.

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8
Q

What is the difference between a treaty and a constitution?

A

A treaty is an international legal agreement between sovereign states; a constitution is the fundamental law governing a state.

Treaties are often less political than constitutions.

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9
Q

What are the three steps in the incrementalism theory of integration?

A
  • Member states agree to cooperate intergovernmentally
  • New areas of cooperation are institutionalized
  • Moves to the supranational mode.

This theory suggests that integration is a gradual process.

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10
Q

What are the Copenhagen Criteria?

A
  • Stable institutions guaranteeing democracy
  • Rule of law
  • Respect for human rights
  • Functioning market economy.

These criteria define eligibility for EU membership.

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11
Q

What impact did the Russian-Ukrainian war have on EU enlargement?

A

It pushed the EU to fast-track candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova and revive stalled enlargement talks for the Western Balkans.

The war has turned enlargement into a geopolitical stabilization tool.

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12
Q

What are the motives of EU enlargement from the perspective of current member states?

A
  • Political and economic stability
  • Economic growth
  • Spreading EU values
  • Geopolitical strategy
  • Security.

These motives shape the decision to accept new members.

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13
Q

How has the EU enlargement policy influenced the notion of being European?

A

It has transformed from an economic focus to a geopolitical one.

This reflects changing priorities in EU policy.

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14
Q

What is the role of the European Commission?

A

It represents the executive power of the EU and is involved in the legislative process from beginning to end.

The Commission is often referred to as the ‘Guardian of the Treaty.’

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15
Q

What is the hybrid nature of the European Commission?

A

It acts as both a political institution and an institution of expertise.

This dual nature allows it to balance national and supranational interests.

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16
Q

What are the different views on the power of the European Commission?

A
  • Intergovernmentalism: National governments are key players
  • Liberal Intergovernmentalism: Authority is derived from member states
  • Neo-functionalism: The Commission has considerable power.

These perspectives influence how the Commission’s power is perceived.

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17
Q

What is the significance of the ‘supranational triangle’ in the EU?

A

It consists of the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the EU, representing the core institutions of EU governance.

This triangle plays a crucial role in the decision-making process.

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18
Q

What change did the Lisbon Treaty bring to the European Parliament’s powers?

A

The European Parliament gained greater power over budget questions.

This reflects a broader trend towards increasing democratic accountability in the EU.

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19
Q

What is the ‘Community Method’ in the EU?

A

It refers to the Ordinary Legislative Procedure and special legislative procedures used in EU decision-making.

This method emphasizes the role of the Commission and Parliament in legislation.

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20
Q

What are the two main branches of the EU commission?

A

Political branch and administrative branch

The political branch includes commissionaires, vice presidents, and the president, while the administrative branch consists of director generals (DG) comparable to ministries and services.

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21
Q

What is the role of the cabinets in the EU commission?

A

Cabinets work between the political and administrative branches

They facilitate communication and coordination between the commission’s political and administrative functions.

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22
Q

What is the ‘Spitzenkandidat’ system?

A

A system where every party names one candidate for the role of president of the commission, with the largest elected group in the EU parliament getting their candidate as president

This system was notably in place in 2014 but has since lost influence.

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23
Q

How does the EU enforce compliance with EU law?

A

By ensuring compliance from member states and businesses through various mechanisms

Specific mechanisms to enforce EU law include judicial actions and financial penalties.

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24
Q

What is the exclusive role of the EU commission?

A

Proposal of legislation and initiation of policies

The commission acts as the guardian of the treaties and represents the EU’s external interests.

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25
What is the Ordinary Legislative Procedure (OLP)?
A procedure that makes the European Parliament a co-legislator alongside the Council of the European Union ## Footnote Parliament's agreement is required before a proposal can become law.
26
What are the two types of expenditure the European Parliament can change after the Treaty of Lisbon?
Compulsory and non-compulsory expenditure ## Footnote The Treaty of Lisbon removed distinctions, giving the Parliament equal power to the Council regarding budgetary authority.
27
Who elects the president of the European Parliament?
The European Parliament elects the president through a secret ballot ## Footnote Candidates are nominated by political groups and must receive a majority of votes.
28
What are the four types of Eurosceptic MEPs identified?
* Absentee * Public Orator * Pragmatist * Participant ## Footnote Each type describes a different approach to engagement and influence within the European Parliament.
29
What is the composition of the Council of the EU?
Made up of ministers from member states, organized into different councils ## Footnote The presidency rotates every 6 months and decisions are made by Qualified Majority Voting (QMV).
30
What is the difference between the Council of the EU and the European Council?
The Council of the EU consists of ministers, while the European Council is composed of heads of state/government ## Footnote The European Council provides strategic guidance and meets at least four times a year.
31
What does the term 'subsidiarity' refer to in EU policy-making?
The principle that decisions should be made as closely as possible to the citizen ## Footnote If a member state can effectively implement a policy, the EU should not intervene.
32
What are the five modes of governance in the EU?
* Classical Community Method * EU Regulatory Mode * EU Distributional Mode * Policy Coordination Mode * Intensive Transgovernmentalism ## Footnote Each mode reflects different approaches to decision-making and policy implementation in the EU.
33
What is the role of the European Medicines Agency (EMA)?
Regulates the approval of vaccines and pharmaceuticals across the EU ## Footnote It exemplifies the EU Regulatory Mode, focusing on technical regulations rather than political negotiations.
34
What is the significance of the Treaty of Lisbon for the European Council?
Established the European Council as a separate entity from the Council of the EU ## Footnote It formalized the role and powers of the European Council and enhanced the authority of the High Representative.
35
What is the importance of the European Parliament's veto powers?
Allows the Parliament to consent to or veto international agreements and trade agreements ## Footnote The Parliament has used these powers sparingly to maintain its role as a responsible legislative partner.
36
What is the difference between exclusive competences and shared competences?
Exclusive competences are solely for the EU to legislate, while shared competences allow member states to act when the EU is not exercising its powers ## Footnote Member states can still exercise their competences even if the EU is active.
37
What is the primary function of the European Court of Justice (ECJ)?
Ensures compliance with EU law ## Footnote The ECJ plays a critical role in maintaining the legal integrity of the EU's legislative framework.
38
What is the focus of Coordination Mode in the EU?
Cooperation rather than binding laws ## Footnote Coordination Mode emphasizes voluntary cooperation among member states without hard enforcement mechanisms.
39
What are the key features of Coordination Mode?
No hard enforcement mechanisms, peer pressure, benchmarking, and recommendations ## Footnote Member states agree on broad goals but implement them nationally.
40
Where is Coordination Mode used?
* Economic and Social Policy (European Semester) * Employment Policy Guidelines * Education & Research (e.g., Erasmus, Horizon Europe) ## Footnote This mode is utilized for national fiscal policy coordination and other areas.
41
What is an example of Coordination Mode?
The European Semester reviews and provides recommendations on national economic policies ## Footnote Countries are not legally obliged to follow these recommendations.
42
What is Intensive Transgovernmentalism?
Member states retain control over decision-making ## Footnote The European Commission and Parliament have little or no formal role.
43
What decision-making process is common in Intensive Transgovernmentalism?
Unanimity or consensus-based decision-making ## Footnote This is often used in politically sensitive areas for national sovereignty.
44
Where is Intensive Transgovernmentalism applied?
* Foreign & Security Policy (CFSP) * Justice & Home Affairs (JHA) * Eurozone Crisis Management ## Footnote Areas like Schengen border controls and asylum policy are included.
45
What is the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)?
Decided by intergovernmental consensus among all EU countries ## Footnote It requires agreement on sanctions or military actions.
46
What is Europeanisation?
Interactions between the EU, member states, and third countries ## Footnote It consists of bottom-up and top-down processes.
47
What does 'downloading' mean in the context of Europeanisation?
The process through which the EU influences the domestic level ## Footnote This contrasts with 'uploading', where member states influence the EU.
48
What are the three factors determining successful compliance in Europeanisation?
* Domestic Political Interests * Administrative Capacity * Political Culture ## Footnote These factors impact how well EU policies are adopted domestically.
49
What is the acquis communautaire?
Cumulative body of European Community Laws ## Footnote It serves as the legal order of the EU and includes various policy areas.
50
What is democratic backsliding in the EU context?
Government framing EU intervention as a threat from outside ## Footnote This can lead to increased support for domestic actors against EU influence.
51
What are possible solutions to address democratic backsliding?
* Creating an independent supervisory body * Using bottom-up mechanisms to establish breaches * Employing targeted sanctions against perpetrators ## Footnote These approaches aim to confront violations of the EU’s core values.
52
What is a democratic deficit?
A lack of direct citizen input in decision-making processes ## Footnote This relates to the expectations of a democratic system.
53
What are the three forms of legitimacy in the EU?
* Input Legitimacy * Output Legitimacy * Throughput Legitimacy ## Footnote These concepts relate to how legitimacy is perceived in the EU context.
54
What changes did the Lisbon Treaty introduce to address the democratic deficit?
* Recognition of representative democracy * Citizens Initiative * Strengthened principle of subsidiarity * OLP for co-decision procedure * Inclusion of Spitzen Candidate Procedure * Strengthened EU Parliament ## Footnote These changes aimed to enhance democratic participation and accountability.
55
What is the permissive consensus?
Legitimacy based on output without concerns for input legitimacy ## Footnote It characterized early perceptions of the EEC.
56
What caused the shift in greater political participation of EU citizens?
* Brexit * Eurozone Crisis * Migrant Crisis * Maastricht Treaty * Covid 19 * Ukraine War ## Footnote These events have influenced public engagement with the EU.
57
What are the two types of Euroscepticism?
* Hard Euroscepticism (outright rejection) * Soft Euroscepticism (conditional support) ## Footnote These classifications reflect different attitudes towards EU integration.
58
What is the difference between Euroscepticism and anti-European sentiment?
Euroscepticism is an umbrella term, while anti-European is a sub-term ## Footnote Anti-European sentiment represents the most extreme form of Euroscepticism.
59
What are the main crises that have impacted the EU's development?
* Eurozone Crisis 2009 * Migration Crisis 2015 * Brexit 2016, 2020 * Covid-19 2019-2022 * Russia-Ukraine Conflict 2022-
60
What caused the Eurozone Crisis in 2009?
High levels of public debt, gap between southern/northern countries, structural flaws
61
What measures were taken by the EU post-Eurozone Crisis?
Stricter fiscal policies
62
What led to the Migration Crisis in 2015?
Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Western involvement in these conflicts, failing of Schengen zone
63
What measures were taken by the EU post-Migration Crisis?
Strengthening of border control, division within the Union
64
What was the outcome of the Brexit referendum?
Britain voted in favor of leaving the EU
65
What was the effect of Brexit on EU politics?
EU became more unified, marginalization of other national movements favoring exit
66
What were the main issues during the Covid-19 pandemic that affected the EU?
Global pandemic, lack of health union
67
What measures were taken by the EU post-Covid-19?
Fiscal coordination, collective borrowing for expenses and funds, improved health infrastructures
68
What triggered the Russia-Ukraine Conflict in 2022?
Russian aggression and invasion of Ukraine
69
What are the foundational myths of the EU?
* The EU as a Peace Project * The Notion that the EU is Forged in Crisis * The idea that deeper economic interdependence fosters political change * The idea that law can replace power politics
70
What does the concept of enhanced cooperation entail?
Allows a group of EU countries (at least 9 member states) to integrate deeper in a specific policy area without all members participating
71
What is the scenario of disintegration in the context of the EU?
Break-up or weakening of the EU, with member states withdrawing powers or exiting
72
What does the scenario of piecemeal adjustment describe?
Small, incremental changes to policies or treaties without major reforms
73
What is functional federalism?
Deeper integration in specific areas without turning the EU into a full political federation
74
What is the concept of A European Sovereignty?
A vision where the EU gains full sovereign powers in key areas, acting as a global player
75
What is the significance of the term 'coalition of the willing' in EU integration?
Leads to a Europe of multiple speeds, where some countries advance integration while others do not
76
What are the four foundational narratives of the EU according to De Vries?
* The EU as a Peace Project * The Notion that the EU is Forged in Crisis * The idea that deeper economic interdependence fosters political change * The idea that law can replace power politics
77
What limitations exist within the EU as a Peace Project narrative?
Not updated for younger generations, colonial history, lack of intervention in conflicts
78
What is the assumption behind the idea that deeper economic interdependence fosters political change?
Economic ties will naturally lead to integration
79
True or False: The rule of law in the EU can entirely replace power politics.
False
80
Fill in the blank: The EU has faced multiple crises since 2009, including the ________ crisis.
[Eurozone]
81
What was a significant outcome of the Covid-19 crisis for the EU?
Greater health infrastructures
82
What is the impact of internal tensions and Euroscepticism on the EU?
Creates deep fissures and challenges to EU values
83
What is the view on the future likelihood of disintegration in the EU?
Unlikely to occur in complete form, but fragmentation is more common
84
What does the term 'muddling through' refer to in EU policy adjustments?
Incremental changes rather than major reforms

Globalizing (3 decks)

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