EU Origins and Enlargement Flashcards
Informal Integration
Cross-border/transnational social and economic interactions between countries.
Creates the need for closer relations.
Formal Integration
Official relations between countries using legally-binding treaties.
These treaties establish supranational political institutions and frameworks.
Year, Aim and Cost of Marshall Plan?
1948, Economic Liberalisation of Europe/Preserving Peace Across Europe, $12.5 billion dollars in aid for Europe’s industry.
When and what was the Truman Doctrine?
1947 - it was an American foreign policy which specifically stated that the USA would oppose Soviet political expansionism.
Who was Konrad Adenauer?
First Chancellor of the GDR - was very in favour of European integration and in favour of establishing closer relations with France.
Who was Winston Churchill?
Prime Minister of Britain - wanted to create a ‘United States of Europe’ in order to preserve peace.
Who was Jean Monnet?
Unifying force behind the European Union, dedicated himself entirely to European Integration and was the inspiration behind the Schuman Plan.
Who was Alcide de Gasperi?
Italian statesmen who worked on the realisation of the Marshall Plan and created close economic ties between European countries, particularly France.
Who was Robert Schuman?
The architect of the European Integration Project - wrote the Schuman plan with Monnet.
What was the Schuman Plan?
1950 - German-Franco coal and steel production to be united under a ‘high authority’ - all other European countries were invited to participate. Concrete foundation of a European Federation where the main aim was peace.
What was the Treaty of Paris?
1951 - officially established the European Steel and Coal Community. Joined by Germany, Italy, France and BENELUX countries. Aimed for peace and economic prosperity.
What was the Treaty of Rome?
1957 - formally established the European Economic Community - economic liberalisation and peace across Europe - common policies and funds from all member states.
What was the point of European Integration? Five main reasons for joining.
Rehabilitation, Recovery, Reorientation, Reconciliation and Security
Why did Germany join?
Recovery - economy destroyed by the war, now divided into two separate countries.
Rehabilitation and Reconciliation - wanted to escape its Nazi legacy and create a new European identity.
Collective Security - stronger as one
Why did France join?
Recovery - substantial rebuilding was needed, devastated by the war.
Modernisation - new economic prospects across Europe
Reconciliation - new relationship with Germany
Reorientation - new peaceful Europe, escape colonial past and embrace cooperative/peaceful future
Monnet was in favour of European integration
Why did Italy join?
Rehabilitation and Reconciliation - escape facist legacy (Mussolini) and make peace with the powers it had fought during the war.
Recovery - rebuild a democratic and capitalist state.
Security - communist threat from East Germany and the Soviet Union
What is supranationalism?
Supranationalism refers to a large amount of power given to an authority which is placed higher than the state (in our case this authority is the European Union).
What is enlargement?
New member states joining an already existing union.
What is a rationalist approach?
One that prioritises economic interests and geo-strategic interests.
What is a constructivist approach?
One that prioritises ideas and identity and norms and values.
Three main principles of the European Union?
‘Peace and prosperity’ through greater political and economic unity.
‘An ever closer union’ (Treaty of Rome, 1957).
Supranationalism - interstate relations go beyond cooperation and extend into integration, involves some loss of national sovereignty.
Factors influencing applications to the European Union?
A country’s history, context and objectives will all be considered.
Success and size - EU is huge and successful
Interdependence - countries rely on and support each other
Gaining insider influence - influence Europe from the centre of it
Perceived benefits outweigh the costs - access to common market, free trade, regulated products
Alternative - EFTA? WTO?
When was the First Enlargement of the European Union? Who led it?
1973 - the UK
Who partook in the first enlargement?
UK, Denmark and Ireland
Previous failed applications of the UK?
1961 and 1967 - France blocked them.
What were the economic and geo-strategic considerations of the UK-led enlargement of the European Union?
Success of the European Economic Community.
Growing trade with EEC
Reorientation (UK and Ireland)
When was the Treaty of Association?
1972 - we established close economic relations with the EU.
When exactly did the UK join?
1973 - official members.
Why did the UK join?
Economic rationalism - growing trade with EEC, UK wanted same rate growth, wanted to modernise.
Geo-strategic considerations - reorientation (retreat from Empire), new global role (post-Suez canal), commonwealth troubles (economic and political)
Why did Denmark join?
Denmark - eurosceptic but rationalist objectives (trade with Germany and UK) access/support for agricultural exports.
Why did Ireland join?
Close economic/political links to UK and wanted to access agricultural funds (CAP)
Other benefits for Ireland and Denmark?
Gaining national status and influencing European integration.
Second Enlargement: ‘Southern’ (1980s)
Greece (1981) Spain & Portugal (1986) - applications were in the 1970s.
Second Enlargement countries were similar in which way?
Authoritarian Regimes, Recently democracies, End Political Isolation, required economic development
When did Greece join? Brief history of its country?
They joined EU in 1981. There was the 'Colonels' in 1967 - authoritarian regime Democracy restored - 1974 Application to EEC - 1975 Membership - 1981
What were rationalist and constructivist motivations?
Consolidate democracy and economic modernisation, development funds, resolve geo-strategic and security concerns.
When did Portugal join? Historical Background?
1986, had been under authoritarian rule until 1974 (Carnation Revolution), then democracy was restored but needed consolidation. Application was in 1977.
Portugla’s pull factors?
Spain = neighbour, UK = long-standing ally
Reorientation and decolonisation
Restructure and revitalise economy
When did Spain join? Historical Background?
1986 - Franco regime ended in 1975 and democracy was restored, so they applied in 1977 after a failed application in 1962
What were Spain’s reasons?
End international isolation; democratic consolidation.
They also required funding for deprived regions; CAP and fishing policy. Their entry was stimulus for economic and social reforms.
Third Enlargement? Who and when?
Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995
Crucial contextual factors in the Third Enlargement?
End of Cold War
Single European Market (1990s recession).
EU moving towards Economic, Monetary and Political Union (Maastricht Treaty).
All three states had successful social market economies. European social model: consensual welfare states
Why did Sweden join?
Unemployment and balance of payments crisis meant they needed growth and exports.
Why did Finland join?
Loss of major market (USSR).
General economic motives of Finland and Sweden?
‘Scandinavian Model’ under pressure due to impact of 1990s recession.
Membership meant liberalising economies.
Membership meant investment
Also scared of USSR
Why did Austria join? And when?
First to apply in 1989 and their previous reasons for non-membership had been removed (end of cold war)
What was the impact of new developments? (SEM)
Single European Market meant greater market competition with low tariffs and high investment/export opportunities.
When did the Berlin Wall fall?
1989
Why did Cyprus and Malta apply?
1990
When did the Yugoslav conflict start?
1991
When did the Copenhagen Criteria?
1993
How many CEEC applied between 1994-1996?
10
When did Accession negotiations start?
1998 and 1999
When was the Copenhagen Summit Agreement?
2002
When did 8 CEECs and 2 Med Nations join?
2004
When did Romania and Bulgaria join?
2007
Politics Copenhagen Criteria?
Must be stability regarding democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for protection of minorities.
Economics Copenhagen Criteria?
A functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with the competitive pressures and market forces within the Union.
Obligations Copenhagen Criteria?
Membership requires you must take on the obligations of membership. Adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.
Central and Eastern Europe wanted what by joining the EU?
‘(Re)turning to the West’
The CEECs wanted to return to the West why?
- Embrace the West’s prosperity (market economic)s, democracy( (liberal political norms/values).
- Political Stability - democratic consolidations and transition
- External relations (security) fear of Russia and NATO membership
Who are the Visegrád States?
Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia
Why did the Visegrád States join?
Wanted to return to the West for economic development, security, and democratic reforms.
Slovakia had the issue of democratic consolidaton
Who are the Baltic States?
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
Who is the most eurosceptic country?
Latvia - government made considerable efforts to deter voters from voting to join the Union, but the join campaign still won by a large majority.
Why did the Baltic states join?
Economic Development - aid (development funds) and boost to growth and jobs.
Security (Russia)
Democratic reforms and EU values were ideal.
All had common aims and themes.
Why did Slovenia join?
Impact of nationalist surge/Balkan conflict.
Why did Cyprus join?
Greek support, Issue of Northern Cyprus
Why did Malta join?
- Most divided population (referendum vote)
- Joining EU market v neutrality and sovereignty
When did Bulgaria and Romania join?
2007
Why did Bulgaria and Romania join?
Economic development, democratic consolidation and security.
Why did Romania specifically join?
Consistent domestic support for EU
No nostalgia for Ceauşescu regime
Why did Bulgaria specifically join?
Change of government (1997)
Led to economic reforms and optimism about joining the EU.
Why agree to the Eastern enlargement?
Rationalist explanations include the economic advantages of a larger market, more investment.
Then there’s political, geo-strategic advantages too, such as the promotion of liberal democratic values and spread of influence.
Costs of the Eastern enlargement?
- Powerful supporters of CEEC membership included Germany and UK (Commission members) and USA + NATO
- Reluctant member states included France and the Mediterranean states.
- Reluctant because of the cost of financial assistance to CEECs
- Funding new people creates problems for existing net-beneficiaries
- Would require institutional and policy reforms
Why agree to Eastern enlargement?
Constructivist - social identities, norms and values are important.
There’s a moral obligation to help others; European unity.
When did Croatia join? Last enlargement?
2013
Who are currently in Accession Negotiations?
Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Turkey
What did Juncker say in 2014 about the enlargements?
Trickier since the economic crash in 2007, then there was the Greece crisis. Member states have their own domestic pressures so there is less external and internal support.
New aims of the EU?
Close relations with ‘near abroad’ and targeted assistance, short of full membership
