Lecture 3

Question 1

Describe the Empty Chair Crisis of 1965-66.

Answer 1

The Empty Chair Crisis was a political standoff regarding whether the European Economic Community (EEC) should become more supranational, involving debates over the role of the EEC Commission and the decision- making processes in the Council.

Question 2

Define neo-functionalism in the context of European integration.

Answer 2

Neo-functionalism, proposed by Ernst B. Haas in 1957, posits that the main actor in European integration is the supranational center in Brussels, where integration in one economic sector leads to spill-over effects into related sectors and eventually political integration.

Question 3

How does political science differ from history in studying European integration?

Answer 3

Political science focuses on patterns and
theories that describe likely outcomes of ongoing processes, while history constructs singular narratives about past events, emphasizing continuities and discontinuities.

Question 4

What is the main argument of liberal intergovernmentalism?

Answer 4

Liberal intergovernmentalism, articulated by Andrew Moravcsik in 1998, argues that the main actors in European integration are the governments of member states, which negotiate based on conflicting economic interests without internal dynamics or spill- over effects.

Question 5

Explain the concept of spill-over in neo- functionalism.

Answer 5

Spill-over in neo-functionalism refers to the idea that integrating one economic sector will necessitate the integration of related sectors, leading to broader political integration.

Question 6

How did Brexit reflect Britain’s relationship with Europe?

Answer 6

Brexit highlighted uncertainty regarding the process of leaving the EU, with proponents believing that breaking away would allow Britain to trade with other countries, reflecting a longing for a global empire.

Question 7

What role did national governments play according to liberal intergovernmentalism?

Answer 7

National governments are seen as the primary decision-makers that formulate preferences, engage in interstate bargaining, and decide whether to delegate or pool sovereignty in international institutions.

Question 8

Describe the significance of the European Council president’s portrayal by Nigel Farage.

Answer 8

Nigel Farage, a UKIP MEP, criticized European Council president Van Rompuy, describing him as lacking charisma, which reflects the broader skepticism and criticism of EU leadership among Brexit supporters.

Question 9

What was the impact of the expansion of competences in the EEC?

Answer 9

The expansion of competences in the EEC led to debates about whether decisions should be made by unanimity (intergovernmental) or by qualified majority vote (supranational), influencing the governance structure of the EU.

Question 10

How do historians approach the study of European integration?

Answer 10

Historians construct narratives about the past, focusing on singular processes, undercurrents, and the evolution of events rather than seeking a perfect reconstruction of history.

Question 11

Describe the sentiment in Britain regarding their membership in the European Community in 1973.

Answer 11

Many in Britain viewed their membership in the European Community as a defeat, feeling it was a trade of their world empire for membership in a European empire controlled by France and later Germany.

Question 12

How did British Euroscepticism relate to the loss of the empire?

Answer 12

The loss of the empire coincided with the arrival of former colonial peoples in Britain, which many perceived as a threat to their jobs and way of life, leading to a desire to reimpose colonial segregation.

Question 13

Define the political culture differences between Britain and Europe.

Answer 13

Britain operates on a two-party system focused on left vs. right, while Europe has a multi-party system based on negotiation and compromise.

Question 14

What were the reasons for Britain’s hesitations in joining the European Economic Community (EEC)?

Answer 14

Britain was hesitant due to its special relationship with the US, strong opposition to federalism, and disagreement with the Common Agricultural Policy.

Question 15

Explain the significance of the ‘Spirit of the Hague’ in 1969.

Answer 15

The ‘Spirit of the Hague’ marked a shift in French leadership from De Gaulle to Pompidou, leading to a reorganization of the Common Agricultural Policy and facilitating Britain’s eventual accession to the EEC.

Question 16

What was the outcome of the UK’s attempts to join the EEC in the 1960s?

Answer 16

The UK made two applications to join the EEC in the 1960s but was rejected by Charles de Gaulle both times due to concerns over Britain’s support for the Common Agricultural Policy.

Question 17

How did the enlargement of the European Communities in 1973 affect the UK?

Answer 17

The enlargement included the UK, Ireland, and Denmark, but the UK was seen as an ‘awkward partner’ due to its lack of participation in the earlier successful periods of the Communities.

Question 18

What was the public response in Britain to the 1975 referendum on EEC membership?

Answer 18

The public response was divided, with the Labour Party advocating for ‘Out’ and the Conservatives supporting ‘In’, reflecting the polarized views on European integration.

Question 19

Describe the economic context of Britain before joining the EEC.

Answer 19

Before joining the EEC, Britain’s economic growth was sluggish compared to the EEC, but many believed they were better off originally due to their historical global trade connections.

Question 20

What was the role of EFTA in relation to the EEC?

Answer 20

EFTA was created for states unwilling to join the EEC and aimed to support trade with the colonies, but it ultimately failed to achieve its goals.

Question 21

Describe the role of British politicians in relation to the European issue.

Answer 21

British politicians often use the European
issue for domestic purposes, blaming the European community for national problems to gain popularity and legitimacy.

Question 22

How did Britain perceive its role in the EEC according to the TV series ‘Yes Minister’?

Answer 22

Britain was seen as trying to break the EEC apart from within, aiming to create divisions among member states.

Question 23

Define the term ‘British rebate’ in the context of the EEC.

Answer 23

The British rebate refers to a financial mechanism that reduced the UK’s contribution to the EEC budget, compensating Britain for being a net-payer.

Question 24

What was Margaret Thatcher’s stance on Britain’s financial contributions to the EEC?

Answer 24

Thatcher believed Britain was paying too much and not receiving enough in return, famously stating they were asking for their own money back.

Question 25

How did the concept of ‘Elastic Europe’ relate to British political parties?

Answer 25

‘Elastic Europe’ refers to the debate over whether the EC/EU should promote a mixed economy or capitalism, with different parties having opposing views on integration.

Question 26

Explain the significance of the meeting of the European council in Fontainebleau in June 1984.

Answer 26

This meeting was significant as the UK protested its status as a net-payer and negotiated a financial mechanism that reduced its contributions to the EEC budget.

Question 27

What were the concerns of left-wing critics during the British referendum in the 1970s regarding the EC?

Answer 27

Left-wing critics claimed that the essence of the EC was market liberalization, which they believed threatened British social security.

Question 28

How did Thatcher view economic centralization at a European level?

Answer 28

Thatcher opposed economic centralization at a European level, arguing that it would re- impose state control after having rolled it back in Britain.

Question 29

What was the general sentiment in Britain towards the EEC during the time of Thatcher’s leadership?

Answer 29

There was a sentiment of dissatisfaction, particularly regarding financial contributions and the perception of not receiving adequate benefits in return.

Question 30

How did British tabloids influence public perception of the EEC?

Answer 30

British tabloids played a role in shaping public perception by sensationalizing issues related to the EEC and influencing political discourse.

Question 31

What was the reaction of national political leaders towards the EC for domestic gain?

Answer 31

National political leaders often turned against the EC to gain domestic popularity, using ‘Brussels’ as a scapegoat for unpopular measures.

Question 32

Summarize Thatcher’s view on the relationship between state economy and growth.

Answer 32

Thatcher believed that a state-controlled economy leads to low growth, advocating for free enterprise within a legal framework as a better alternative.

Question 33

What was the impact of the British rebate on the UK’s relationship with the EEC?

Answer 33

The British rebate marked the end of the UK’s re-nationalization phase and helped redefine its role as an awkward partner within the EEC.

Question 34

Describe the conflicting views on European integration among British political parties.

Answer 34

Social democrats saw integration as a chance to create a social democratic Europe, while center-right parties viewed it as a way to prevent social democrat patronization.

Question 35

What was Thatcher’s perspective on the creation of a socialist or capitalist superstate in Europe?

Answer 35

Thatcher opposed both the creation of a socialist superstate and a capitalist superstate, advocating for a framework that supported free enterprise.

Question 36

How did British politicians utilize the European community as a scapegoat?

Answer 36

They used the European community as a scapegoat for domestic issues, deflecting blame for unpopular decisions onto ‘Brussels’.

Question 37

Describe the political style in Europe during the time of Margaret Thatcher.

Answer 37

The continental political style in Europe is characterized by compromise, which Thatcher was unhappy with, viewing it as a watered- down approach.

Question 38

How does the concept of compromise differ between Britain and Europe according to the content?

Answer 38

In Britain, compromise often has a negative connotation, implying that for one party to succeed, another must fail. In contrast, in Europe, victory can be claimed by anyone, suggesting a more inclusive approach.

Question 39

Define Euroscepticism and its main criticisms of the EC/EU.

Answer 39

Euroscepticism is the criticism of the European Communities/European Union, primarily due to concerns that the integration process weakens national states, involves excessive socialist overregulation, and leads to a neoliberal ‘race to the bottom’.

Question 40

What significant economic changes occurred in Europe from 1970 onward?

Answer 40

Significant changes included the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, the establishment of the European Monetary System, and the impact of the oil crises, which led to economic nationalism and a shift from industry to the service sector.

Question 41

How did the European Council evolve during the 1970s and 1980s?

Answer 41

The European Council was initially an informal forum for heads of state but became more important due to crises, especially after the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, which strengthened the positions of heads of government.

Question 42

What was the significance of the first direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979?

Answer 42

The first direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979 were significant as they were partly a response to the establishment of the European Council and aimed to satisfy supranational demands, although the Parliament remained relatively powerless.

Question 43

Explain the impact of the oil crises in the 1970s on European economies.

Answer 43

The oil crises in 1973 and 1979 caused significant unemployment and recession, leading to economic nationalism where countries supported their own industries and sought separate solutions to economic challenges.

Question 44

What role did trade unions play in the economic landscape of the 1970s and early 1980s in Europe?

Answer 44

Trade unions pressured governments to support unprofitable industries, such as mines and shipyards, with taxpayer money during a time of economic crisis.

Question 45

How did the Maastricht Treaty affect the European Council?

Answer 45

The Maastricht Treaty, signed in 1992, formalized the European Council’s role and significantly strengthened the positions of heads of government in the decision-making process.

Question 46

What were the new initiatives taken by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) after 1979?

Answer 46

After 1979, MEPs initiated new efforts such as the ‘Crocodile Club’ in 1980, which aimed to design a new Federalist Treaty as part of a new ‘European spirit’.

Question 47

Summarize the conclusions regarding the EC/EU in the 1970s and 1980s.

Answer 47

The conclusions indicate that decisions during this period were often watered-down compromises, and there was debate over whether the EC/EU should be seen as a meddlesome ‘EUSSR’ or a key player in the neoliberal shift for financial market protection.

Question 48

Describe the political features of the EC/EU.

Answer 48

The EC/EU exhibits characteristics of both ‘Left wing’ and ‘Right wing’ politics, with neoliberals emphasizing central planning and anti-marketeers criticizing neoliberal features.

Question 49

How did the focus of the European Communities and the European Union evolve over time?

Answer 49

Initially, the European Communities and the EU focused on rules and regulations regarding low politics, such as energy, but recently aimed to become a ‘geopolitical Commission’.

Question 50

What is a common political strategy used by national leaders regarding the EU?

Answer 50

National political leaders often turn against the EC/EU to gain domestic popularity.

Question 51

Define Neo-liberalization in the context of the EC/EU.

Answer 51

Neo-liberalization refers to the shift towards market-oriented policies and reduced government intervention within the EC/EU framework.

Question 52

How did the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 influence the New World Order?

Answer 52

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked a
significant shift in global politics, leading to the establishment of a New World Order that influenced the dynamics of the EC/EU.

Question 53

What was the purpose of creating the EU between 1991 and 1993?

Answer 53

The creation of the EU aimed to enhance economic integration and political cooperation among member states.

Question 54

Explain the main aim of the EU regarding international financial markets.

Answer 54

The EU’s main aim was to protect international financial markets from the uncertainties posed by national democratic politics.

Question 55

What significant currency was introduced by the EU?

Answer 55

The Euro was introduced as a significant currency by the EU to facilitate economic integration among member states.

Question 56

Define the Copenhagen Criteria.

Answer 56

The Copenhagen Criteria are the essential requirements that a country must meet to join the EU, focusing on stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect for and protection of minorities, a functioning market economy, and the ability to take on the obligations of EU membership.