European integration process Flashcards
Historical Context of the Maastricht Treaty
The Maastricht Treaty was shaped by major geopolitical events: the end of the Cold War, German reunification, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
A crucial factor was the agreement between France and Germany—France accepted German reunification, and Germany supported Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
Long-Term European Integration Trends
The integration process had been advancing since the early 1980s, independent of the Cold War’s end.
By 1989, many pressures had already accumulated to push for significant treaty changes.
Four Key Trends Leading to Maastricht
The Rise of Treaty Changes: Unlike previous decades, major European changes were increasingly formalized through treaties (e.g., Single European Act, SEA, in 1986).
Formalizing Informal Integration: Efforts were made to integrate existing intergovernmental cooperation (e.g., European Political Cooperation, Schengen Agreement) into official EU structures.
Institutional Reforms: The push for more majority voting and a stronger European Parliament to increase efficiency and democratic legitimacy.
Policy Spill-Over Effects: The success of the European Monetary System (EMS) and the Single Market created pressures for deeper monetary and justice/home affairs integration.
Monetary and Economic Integration
The removal of capital controls as part of the Single Market threatened the stability of EMS, pushing for full monetary integration.
The Padoa-Schioppa Report (1987) argued that Europe could not sustain fixed exchange rates, free capital movement, and national economic autonomy simultaneously—leading to EMU discussions.
Justice, Home Affairs, and Foreign Policy Integration -> Mastrich
The Schengen Agreement and security cooperation (Trevi Process) created momentum for a more unified justice and immigration policy.
The European Community’s economic influence in global trade talks (GATT) motivated leaders to seek a stronger common foreign policy (later CFSP).
Impact of Geopolitical Changes (1989-1991) -> Mastrich treaty
The fall of the Berlin Wall, Eastern Europe’s democratization, and the Soviet Union’s collapse added urgency to European integration.
The need for a stronger Europe to manage German reunification and potential EU enlargement encouraged rapid treaty negotiations.
While the Maastricht Treaty was influenced by Cold War-era geopolitical shifts, its foundations were laid in the 1980s through economic, institutional, and political developments.
The treaty’s agenda—EMU, justice/home affairs, and foreign policy coordination—was largely set before 1989.
The Maastricht Treaty origins
The 1986 Single European Act (SEA) was seen as insufficient for integration.
Internal factors driving further integration:
1. Need for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) for market stability.
2. Push for a social dimension to prevent “social dumping.”
3. Removal of border controls required better security cooperation.
4. Growing concern over the democratic deficit in EU decision-making.
External factors:
1. Collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.
2. German reunification raised fears of German dominance.
Soviet Union’s dissolution (1991) created European instability.
3. The end of the Cold War required a new EU foreign/security policy.
The Treaty of Amsterdam Background
Maastricht left unresolved issues; an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) was set for 1996.
Aimed to improve efficiency and democratic legitimacy of EU institutions.
Key provisions of Treaty of Maastrich
*Created the European Union (EU) with a three-pillar structure:
1. European Communities (EC) - economic and social policies.
2. Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) - diplomacy and defense.
3. Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) - police, migration, crime prevention.
*Strengthened supranational decision-making.
1. Expanded majority voting in the Council of Ministers.
2. European Parliament (EP) pained power - co-decision.
3. Subsidiarity principle ensured national authority over some policies.
*Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) - adopting the Euro, creation of the European Central Bank (ECB).
*Social Policy - UK opted out of social provision.
*Citizenship of the EU: introduces EU citizenship with rights to live, work, and vote in any member state.
Ratification Challenges of the Maastricht treaty
Denmark rejected the treaty in 1992 but later approved it in 1993 with opt-outs.
France barely passed it in a referendum (51% approval).
UK faced strong opposition and delays but ratified it in 1993.
Germany’s Constitutional Court delayed ratification over sovereignty concerns.
Key Reforms of the Treaty of Amsterdam (1997)
Institutional changes: strengthened the European Parliament’s legislative powers, introduced “enhaced cooperation” for flexible integration among some members, simplified EU decision-making but faile to reform voting weights in the Council.
Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) reforms: Schengen Agreement was incorporated into EU law, Strengthened police cooperation (Europol), gave the EU more control over asylum, immigration, and visas.
Foreing policy: High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy to improve coordination.
Employment Policy: more active role in employment and social protection.
