History of the EU Flashcards
3 urgent priorities for European states after WWII
- economic reconstruction
- between the battlefield of US / SU
- cooling down nationalism
Bretton Woods
first attempt to solve problems after WWII.
Currencies, free trade, non-discrimination etc.
Also supported by the establishment of the IMF and World Bank.
Later also Marshallplan
Geopolitics after end of WWII / start Cold War
Occupation of Germany by allied forces
Soviet control over East-Europe
Reconstruction of Europe
1951: Paris Treaty / ECSC
ECSC starts with 6 member states: NL, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, France, Italy
Intention to build a Coal and Steal Community beyond intergovernmental cooperation
France looked for a way to restrain Germany and secure access to natural resources
Germany / Italy looked for ways to re-gain international legitimacy
Why the ECSC was revolutionary:
independent from the member states
very far reaching authority
law is enforced by court
consist of high authority, council of ministers, assembly, court of justice
1952 - 1957: from Paris to Rome
defence and Political Community failed (too sensitive)
serious blows to global power of France and the UK, due to numerous military defeats and decolonization
1957: Treaty of Rome
European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom
Creation of a Common Market in 12 years (free trade inside EEC, external tariffs, external policy, internal competition policy)
Common Agricultural Policy, Regional Funds, Social Fund, Nuclear Energy
same 6 member states
Goals of the EEC (European Economic Community)
creating a single marktet
elimination of custom duties
common policies on agriculture, trade, transport
creating funds and investment bank
use of the same core structure as ECSC
The workings of the EEC
Commission = not a decision-maker, but exclusive right of legislative initiative
Assembly = only advisory function.
- Until 1979: delegates from national parliaments. From 1979: elections
Council of Ministers = legislates. voting rules depend on policy sector by a point system
Stagnation in 1960s
Due to the French resistance and protection of its own traditions in the EEC.
The veto blocking of British application led to the empty chair crisis –> council of ministers was boycotted by the french
led to the Luxembourg Compromise
Luxembourg Compromise
a state can use his own veto if their national interests were at stake
Why did France block British application to the EEC?
France wanted the EEC to be in favour of France, therefore against British membership
De Gaulle blocked decision-making in the EEC –> empty chair crisis
The UK joined after the leave of the Gaulle
optimism of early 1970s
Denmark, Norway, Ireland join the EEC
first non-economic policies adopted (environment)
after that, again economic stagation and excessive inflation
stagnation in the 1980s
Margaret Thatcher
era of failing agricultural policy (subsidized overproduction)
era of economic downturn
UK did not accept being a net contributor, wanted money back
1986: Single European Act
= expansion of the Treaty of Rome
new policy areas formally described: strong deepening
fitted the Commissions ambition of creating a truly open market
revision of QMV rules in the Council
more issues from unanimity –> QMV
in some areas, EP gets a formal say (cooperation procedure)
End of the Cold War / Fall Berlin Wall
lukewarm feelings about German reunification
optimism about the end of history
optimism about European integration, but disagreement on how to move on
- some wanted more european cooperation (NL)
- some were afraid of German dominance (FR/UK)
- some wanted a federal political union and more democratization (NL), others not (FR/UK)
1993: Maastricht Treaty
European Union
three pillars:
1. the EEC / SEA as we knew it, but revisited: more policy issues included (deepening). Co-decision procedure, in some areas the EP gets actual power. More issues from unanimity to QMV in Council, revision of QMV rules.
- Common Foreign and Security Policy. EP not involved, no legislation, just coordinated action if desired.
- Justice and Home affairs. EP not involved, Europol is.
Extra = commitment to common currency (euro)
Pillar 1 Maastricht Treaty
more policy issues included (deepening).
Co-decision procedure, in some areas the EP gets actual power.
More issues from unanimity to QMV in Council, revision of QMV rules
Pillar 2 Maastricht Treaty
Common Foreign and Security Policy
EP not involved, no legislation, just coordinated action if desired.
Pillar 3 Maastricht Treaty
Justice and Home affairs.
EU not involved, Europol is.
1999: Amsterdam Treaty
1st pillar = more policy issues included, more issues from unanimity to QMV in the Council. More issues include the EP (codecision). Enhanced cooperation.
- there was a reform of co-decision so that the EP becomes truly equal to the Council
2nd pillar = include defence cooperatoin by a high representative
3rd pillar = import Schengen into the EU, move a part to the first pillar.
2003: Nice Treaty
extension of co-decision to other policy areas
unanimity to QMV in more policy areas
reform of QMV rules: points system + population % + # of MS
de facto merger of 1st and 3rd pillar
1 commissioner per member state
= calls for simplification
constitutional treaty & lisbon treaty
convention of the future of Europe
idea: prepare a draft constitution (but still a Treaty), and make it short and simple
massive legal simplification, extra powers in criminal prosecution etc.
include charter of fundamental rights into constitution, some symbols, procedure for leaving EU
= constitutional treaty failed
2009: Lisbon Treaty
amending the existing Treaties
Constitutional-Treaty-ideas reworked into the existing Treaties, but without the EU-identity-symbolism
Big changes:
European Council: now a formal institution with a permanent president
Co-decision has become the norm, lawmaking without EP the exception
Reduction of Commission to merely 15 CommissionersExplicit procedure for leaving the EU and expelling member states
Charter of Fundamental Rights obtains a Treaty-like status
