EU Flashcards
What are examples of how the EU’s aim promotes peace and well-being was achieved?
2012 - EU awarded Nobel Peace Prize “for its contribution to the advancement of peace”, Copenhagen criteria - rules that define whether a country is eligible to join the EU e.g: Respect for human rights, Protection of minorities, The EU has played a major role in mediating Serbia-Kosovo tensions, working toward a normalization agreement.
What are examples of how the EU’s aim promotes peace and well-being was not achieved?
EU becoming an increasingly divisive issue in member states: Success of Eurosceptic parties April 2022: Marine Le Penn (leader of the far-right National Front) - eurosceptic, opposed the EU, calling it an undemocratic bureaucracy.
What are examples of how the EU’s aim eliminate internal borders was achieved?
Achieved: Schengen Agreement: 23/27 member states and 4 members of the European Free Trade Association have abolished border control -> Approximately 1.7 million people cross internal borders within the Schengen Area each day for work or study purposes
What are examples of how the EU’s aim eliminate internal borders was not achieved?
Not achieved: The 2015 migrant crisis led to some Schengen states reinforcing border controls, and free movement has been challenged. The COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary border controls and restrictions of varying degrees and natures depending on member states rules.
What are examples of how the EU’s aim of a Single Market borders was achieved?
Euro coins and notes issued in 2002 (Maastricht treaty). 20 countries in the eurozone. The Treaty of Rome (1957) created a common market for most other goods without tariffs and quotas. Amsterdam Treaty (1997) facilitated the removal of borders and harmonised workers’ rights.
What are examples of how the EU’s aim of a Single Market borders was not achieved?
Members still retain tax systems and distinct markets for energy and transport, some critics argue that the ‘red tape’ of EU regulation can harm economic growth.
What are examples of how the EU’s aim of Social and economic cohesion was achieved?
Right enshrined in various EU treaties: political right - right to participate in European parliament, employment - right to equal treatment - all protected by Charter of Fundamental Rights, European social fund - train programmes to help EU citizens to enter common labour market, Cohesion Fund - infrastructure projects e.g Superfast broadband plan (2012) increases broadband speeds in scotland encourage businesses
What are examples of how the EU’s aim of Social and economic cohesion was not achieved?
Same-sex marriages not allowed in every country: In 2022, The European Commission took Hungary to the Court of Justice of the EU, over a national law that it said discriminated against the LGBTQ+ community.
What are examples of how the EU’s aim of Economic and Monetary Union was achieved?
20/27 - European single currency - eliminate non-tariff barriers, Fiscal stability treaty (2012) - an intergovernmental treaty which required surplus budgets. Next generation Eu 2020 - authorises the European Commission to borrow in order to provide grants and loans to members struggling to recover after the pandemic - movement towards joining borrowing - economic & fiscal union
What are examples of how the EU’s aim of Economic and Monetary Union was not achieved?
Member states failed to stick to the convergence criteria that were set when joining the Euro - this led to issues After the Crash (2008/9), Ireland, and Greece required bailouts they were expected to follow the 2012 Fiscal Compact treaty. Fiscal stability treaty (2012) - many members still fail to meet these budget targets.
What are examples of how the EU’s aim of promoting its values globally was achieved?
customs union - common tariffs - collective bargaining power. Brussels effect: global effect on products, Soft power
What are examples of how the EU’s aim of promoting its values globally was not achieved?
no military force, foreign policy remains intergovernmental - rely on economic sanctions 2022 - banned almost $43.9 billion in exports to Russia, froze 21.5 billion in assets
Intergovernmentalism:
where states voluntarily cooperate and make agreements, with national sovereignty preserved by being able to veto
European Council -
discusses issues, sets agenda and political direction for the EU, Makes decisions on foreign policy and launches new policy initiatives - a key role in the 2007 Lisbon Treaty, Council held meetings to shape EU’s response to Covid. E.G Lantionpoulou is anti-abortion, anti-immigration and wants to ban LBTQIA from the education sector.
Council of the European Union
10 different configurations (groups) the main decision-making body of the EU, represents the interest of the gov of each country, co-ordinates economic policies of member states
Supranationalism:
where states transfer some sovereignty to an independent organisation.
European Commission:
Executive body, that can initiate and draft legislation, implements EU legislation, and administers the EU budget (5-year term)
European Parliament
asked for its opinion on legislative proposals, budgetary authority and can influence spending, oversees the activity of the commission
Court of Justice:
responsible for making sure EU laws are fairly applied in all countries + its decisions are binding on member countries.
Regulations:
laws that apply to all member states - 2022 that banned mobile phone companies from imposing roaming charges in Eu countries, Airfare advertising: airlines have to display total coasts (2012)
Directives:
Set out a goal for EU states to work towards. The Digital Markets Act mandates that these companies provide fair access to their platforms, ensure data protection, and avoid anti-competitive behaviour.
Impact of Brexit on UK Parliamentary Sovereignty and Policy-Making:
End of EU Supremacy
- Brexit, EU law had supremacy over UK law due to the European Communities Act 1972, With Brexit, the UK regained full legislative sovereignty—Parliament can now make laws without EU interference.
-Retained EU Law Act 2023 - stated that all remaining retained Eu laws would be known as assimilated laws and would no longer be supreme.
Impact of Brexit on UK Parliamentary Sovereignty and Policy-Making:
Policy areas impacted:
Brexit affected trade policy. As the UK is no longer part of the EU’s customs union and single market, it has regained the ability to set independent trade policies but faces new barriers to trade with the EU, its largest trading partner. The Northern Ireland Protocol remains a contentious issue in terms of customs and regulatory divergence. However, the Trade and Co-operation Agreement provides tariff-free trade in goods between the UK and the EU.
Impact of Brexit on UK Parliamentary Sovereignty and Policy-Making:
Withdrawal Agreement:
Democratic deficit as the EU laws listed in the NI protocol could be amended by the EU and new EU laws could be added - EU laws still supreme - significantly affect policymaking in N.Ireland
