EU Flashcards
Why did it prove difficult to secure the establishment of supranational forms integration in the years immediately following the end of the WWII?
Partly because UK was a major country but skeptical towards integration of the European countries. They where present at more discussions than the number of agreements they actually took part in.
The sex did not agree either on how far the cooperation should go.
They where still weary of Germany but when the US was preoccupied with making sure communism did not spread in east Asia and Latin america the European countries started to realize they had to work together.
Cini p 14
Why was supranational integration limited to “the Six” in the 1950s and 1960s?
Because they where the ones showing the interest. They where the ones who signed the treaty if Rome and belonged to EEC and EAEC which founded the institutions of the commission, parliament, council and the court of Justice. The other ones in ECSC where involved in EFTA as a reaction to this, they did not want to be part of the supranational institutions.
Portugal and Spain where dictatorships. UK saw no future in the cooperation. Austria, Switzerland and Seden where neutral. Germany was not really invited. Countries where afraid to loose sovereignty.
Cini p 15
What is meant by “ever closer union”?
An ever closer union amongst the peoples of Europe.
The goal of many federalists, that the EU should attain more and more competences and bring the governments and the people closer together
Cini p 20
Do opt-outs and mechanisms for enhanced cooperation undermine the EU as a union?
It can be argued that they do since if used too much the EU can be seen as an a-la-carte where countries takes the parts they want and leaves the rest out. A multi speed EU is no longer a EU, it’s several. The point of the EU is to make sure all countries get more respect and mutual dependence. If that is not something countries want now, we should wait.
UK not part of the social chapter. Denmark is de facto free from implementation of foreign policy decisions and decisions affecting defense.
Cini p 22
What impact did the Treaty of Amsterdam have on the pillar structure of the EU?
It added an Area of freedom, security and justice, AFSJ. Schengen started to be incorporated in the EU.
UK, Denmark and Ireland grind opt-outs from these.
The EC framework allowed countries willing to enhance the cooperation to do so even if not every member-state was on board for this.
It introduced the hight representative and made a more formal definition of what a security threat should be.
Cini p 23-24
Why did the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference fail to adopt the institutional reform necessary to prepare the EU for enlargement?
Tjoa was the meeting leading to the Amsterdam treaty. They aimed for a commission where ever member country had a commissioner and where the council voted with double majority.
But the odds of an enlargement did not seem too high or urgent. And the former members did not want to give up power in the commission.
Cini p 25
Did the treaty of Nice prepare the EU adequately for enlargement?
Perhaps, not sure.
It made it somewhat more common to use QMV. The larger countries got a stronger voice. A 62% of the population was required to form a valid position. It introduced one commissioner per member country. It raised the number in the parliament to 732. A yellow card was introduced for countries who threatened to breach the EU principles. It reduced the number of member states needed to start new projects. It made sure all council meetings should be in Brussels.
Cini p 27
To what extent has the EU been characterized structurally by a complex mix of supranationalism, intergovernmentalism, and different forms of integration?
The EU initially boult upon the previous mostly intergovernmental organizations between the Western European countries. It started of as somewhat supranational with the parliament and the commission, the European court and the councils. But in the beginning these did not have much power. Over the years the supranational Commission, Parliament and Court has gained more power in relation to the more intergovernmental Council. The areas with the EU are working with have also become greater in number. The opt-in and opt-outs does make the integration of EU more difficult. It should be more harmonious and if necessary then slower.
Cini p 27-28
When was the Council of Europe established and who where the founding members?
1949
Belgium, Denmark, France, Ierland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK
Cini p 14
Nämn några av EU tankens grundare
Altieri Spinelli. 1941 Ventomte Manifesto “For a free and united Europe”
Cini p 13
Några av avtalen och årtalen för dessa i byggnationen av EU
Benelux customs union 1945
Treaty of Dunkirk 1947 - France and UK, defense
Treaty of Brussels 1948 - France, UK, Benelux, defense
Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) 1948 - US initiated to manage Marshall plan money. 17 members
European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) 1952. “The six”
Failed to implement European Defense Community (EDC) 1954.
Failed to implement European Political Community (EDP) iom EDC failed. 1954.
Western European Union (WEU) When West Germany becomes part of the Brussels treaty and this allows them to start arming up again. 1955
European Economic Community (EEC) 1957. The Six in the treaty of Rome.
European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) 1957. The Six in the treaty of Rome.
Cini p 13-15
European Free Trade Association (EFTA). 1960.
What did the European Economic Community (EEC) 1957 include?
Common comercial, agricultural and transport policies and the establishment of a common market with common rules governing competition.
The EU institutions where established with this.
Cini p 15
Why was European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 1960 created?
When EEC was created OEEC tried to corm a complement to the EEC customs union but this process failed. Leading to the “outer seven” to create their own free trade agreement EFTA. The OEEC members where split in two.
How did the Luxembourg Compromise come about?
Charles de Gaulle opposed the move from unanimously to qualified majority in the Council meetings. He refused to go to any of the council meetings creating the seven month “empty-chair” crisis. This paralyzed decision making and the Luxembourg Compromise was negotiated. 1961
Cini p 17
Why did the EU establish a Convention on the Future of Europe in 2002?
It was an attempt to make it more clear what where the responsibilities of the EU and what freedoms the member states had. It was an attempt to form a constitution of the EU to make it more democratic. It tried to be open, it invited all governments, the meetings where open to the civil society, everything was posted on media but the interest never arose and the meeting and the Constitutional Treaty (CT) was not introduced.
Cini p 32
Why was the Constitutional Treaty rejected in France and the Netherlands?
Partly because the text was so long and a work of compromises that it was difficult to sell. Partly because of a general alienation from the EU, complaints re the national government and fear of the effects of globalization. The CT was as liberal as the treaties already in place, but it was still criticized for being too liberal.
Cini p 36
Why did the member states decide to continue with the reform process after 2005?
Merkel! and Sarkozy had the will and under the German chairmanship during 2007 they managed to form the treaty of Lisbon.
Hos does the Treaty of Lisbon compare with the Constitutional Treaty?
It contains a larger number of Protocols. It is an amending treaty. Makes clear that the EU is a body based on the powers conferred by the member states, enshrined in the treaties and subject to subsidiarily and proportionality. Space, humanitarian aid, sports and administrative operations where added to the list of EU policies. Energy did no longer focus solely on the production of energy but also on combating climate change and providing energy solidarity. In terms of decision making int introduced several new areas in which QMV was to be used. It Gave the Ep new powers and now they can discard the Commission president or the commission as a whole. The double hatted vice president. Focus on values and rights. The Carter of Fundamental Rights was given legs status.
The constitutional language and references of the CT where dropped. Acts of EU are not called laws. We do not use the term Minister of Foreign Affairs. It did not aim to replace the former treaties.
Cini p 39-42
What enabled the Irish government to commit to, and win, a second referendum in 2009?
The fact that most other countries gladly incorporated it. And that the Council gave them some “legal guarantees”
Cini p 43
To what extent have the reforms introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon been successfully implemented?
Many of them have been successfully implemented but they might not have fixed the democratic deficit to the extent first hoped for. There is nor a permanent president of the Council, a high representative, citizens can come with initiatives. MEPS where given greater legislative and budgetary powers.
What is the significance of the post Lisbon Treaty changes for the future of the EU and of European integration?
It set further pretense on the ability to have multiple speed, opt-in and opt-out.
What are the prospects for a new major round of treaty reform in the EU?
Minor. No leaders want to go down this road again. We know it is necessary to give the EU right to shape fiscal policy, but there is too much EU skepticism to do this now.
Is the Council system intergovernmental or supranational?
A hybrid of the two. It has executive like functions. There are ministers from the member countries meeting and taking decisions. They define general political directions and priorities. Can bee seen as topdown centralization of control by EU leaders. The EU leaders are a intergovernmental segment, but then there is the permanent representatives, working groups and Coreper that makes out a more supranational segment.
Cini p 139-141
How does the Council system preform both legislative and executive functions in the EU?
Technically the Council is the only legislative body in the EU. But the EP has received greater power and the Commission is the body responsible for introducing policy proposals. The council is at the same time responsible for coordination policies and react to crisis.
Cini p 139
Does the Lisbon Treaty enhance the role of the European Council? if so, how?
It was the Lisbon treaty which officially recognized the European Council as an EU body. This meant that the funding for its meetings comes from the EU budget now. It changed from rotating leadership in the European Council and the Eurogroup and Foreign Affairs Council.
It changed the relation between the Council and EP and codified that co-decision should be the EUs ordinary legislative procedure (OLP)
Cini p 143
Does the Council system resemble a hierarchy or/and a ‘network?
I would mainly say a network because the member states are quite equal. The ministers re not placed in any hierarchical order, they debate as equals. The again decisions are not only taken on the ministerial councils, they are taken in Coreper and in working groups as well. Where the most difficult questions are taken the furthest up, at the ministerial councils, the less difficult ones at Coreper and then even easier ones in the working groups.
Cini should be between 143-148
Do big states outweigh smaller states in power resources and influence in the Council system?
In the end there is usually majority voting and if not at least QMV. the rotating presidency also makes sure small countries have a say. 2/3 of the countries and 62% of the population. This gives the larger countries a stronger voice in QMV.
Cini p 148
How do the member states coordinate the representation of national interests in EU Council negotiations?
Via Coreper. The people here are vertically placed between the experts and the ministers and are horizontally situated with cross-sectoral policy responsibilities.
Working groups also prepare foundations and experts come with input. There is a General Secretariat of the Council as well, they keep record, takes notes, vote counting and translation.
Cini p 144
What role does the rotating presidency play in EU governance?
It makes sure both large ans small countries have the chance to “run” the business in the majority of the councils. The presidency trio is a new thing where the former and the coming president work closer together. The chairman does not sit on a double seat, his och her country is represented by another representative.
Cini p 150
How have Council-Parliament relations changed since the 1990s?
It has changed quite a lot. Since Lisbon they are supposed to do every new proposal in co-decision. Before the Council only need to hear what the EP had to say but where not bound by it. Today it works more lika a second chamber and proposals need to be approved in both “houses”.
Cini p 150-151
