Key Aims Of The EU

Question 1

What are the 4 freedoms of the EU

Answer 1

-freedom movement of people — right EU citizens live + work in other EU countries
-freedom movement of services — qualifications recognised across all EU states
-freedom movement of capital — ability move money + capital around EU without restrictions
-freedom movement of goods — ability buy + sell across EU without boarder checks + import duties

Question 2

What are the wider aims of the EU

Answer 2

-peace + stability
-promotion economic growth across member states
-promotion of individual rights + freedoms
-integration of an ‘ever closer’ union

Question 3

What is the aim of peace + stability

Answer 3

-member nations haven’t fought since end WW2
-peaceful transition to democracy in most of Eastern Europe - emph on rule of law
-rising living standards + economy growth generally shared
-but — increasing threat from other nations e.g Rus unstable Middle East + home grown terrorism
-growing number anti-EU populist parties increased popu, voicing concerns
-EU criticised not enriching lives + having democratic deficit

Question 4

What is the aim of promoting economy growth across member states

Answer 4

-EU led development of competitive economies e.g. overseeing east European transition
-EU environmental regulations stricter than individual nations (UK) results higher standards air quality + protection habitats + species
-but 2008 economic crisis damaged EU national economies
-unemployment rose dramatically + overall unemployment rate following crash higher in EU then US
-COVID restrictions further hit EU economies + another global economic crash

Question 5

What is the aim of promoting individual rights + freedoms

Answer 5

-freedom movement allowed citizens move freely across boarders for between paying jobs
-increased opportunities for travel within EU
-reciprocal healthcare vie EHIC card
-enhances protections workers rights e.g. limits on working hours via working time directive 2003
-but freedom movement stoked tensions as UK seen high levels immigration from Eastern eur
-responsibility holding migrants until asylum applications granted fallen heavily in Greece + Italy with few countries agreeing help
-EU unable respond effectively to crisis - countries need retain some control of own boarders

Question 6

What is the aim of integration and an ‘ever closer’ union

Answer 6

-large areas policy making now possible due to expansion + competences through various treaties + single market
-extension QMV enable more decisions made reducing opportunity for single country veto proposals
-structural changes like creations European council Pres, adoption flag + anthem + concept of EU citizenship suggest unity
-but growth populism e.g. northern league in Italy + national rally in Fr
-backlash + growth euroscepticism beyond the UK
-poorer countries felt ignored by EU institutions
-COVID 19 EU lacked coordinated response e.g. squabbles over PPE