European Union Flashcards
what are the aims of the EU?
economic recovery and prosperity across western europe
embedding and reinforcing democratic values and human rights in a continent
achieving reconciliation and a lasting peace among formerly warring states above all between France and Germany
what was the treaty of Paris 1951?
established ECSC, enabling a common market
what was the treaty of Rome 1957?
established EEC and created a wider common market
what was the Schengen Agreement 1985?
Removed internal border controls so effectively created a single travel area within the EU
what was the Amsterdam Treaty 1997?
extended the role of the EU, immigration and security, amended parts of the treaty of Rome
what was the Eurozone 1999?
11 countries abolished their national currencies and adopted the euro. economic integration interest rates in the hand of the European central bank
what are the key themes and aims of the EU?
freedom of movement of people, services, capital and goods
what are the wider aims of the EU?
peace and stability, promotion of economic growth across members states, promotion of individual rights and freedoms, integration into ever closer union.
how has the EU achieved peace and stability?
wounds from WWII, transition to democracy have been achieved in eastern Europe. collapse of USSR
how has the EU achieved promotion of economic growth?
difficult to assess, previous countries were economically impoverished, benefitted from economic growth
creation of single market created millions of jobs, increase GDP by 15% but economies remain highly disparate.
Greece and Italy impacted by 2008-09 global financial crisis in need of bailouts by EU and international monetary fund.
how has the EU achieved individual rights and freedom?
mixed success
freedom of movement citizens to freely move across the border in search of better and high paid jobs.
however, high levels of immigration
increased opportunities for easy travel within EU, reciprocal healthcare EHIC card
protections for workers, limits on working hours
how has the EU achieved integration and an ‘ever closer union’
achieved a great deal of integration
large areas of policy making due to expansion of competences through treaties, eurozone, single market
integration in areas of economic policy, single custom union EU wide standards in environmental production and food safety
