Midterm 1 Flashcards
2019 European Parliament election
The Spitzenkanidaten process fizzled meaning the commission president was not from the party that won the European Parliament election
Advocate-General
Advisors to the Court of Justice of the EU. Writes independent and impartial decisions to judges before judges proceed.
Agency loss
As the EU and institutions gain more power, the states that make the up suffer from a loss of agency over their own ability to govern.
Distribution of power among EU institutions under the ordinary legislative procedure
Commission proposes legislation, Council of ministers and Parliament review it, propose amendments and ultimately confirm it or vote on it
Josep Borrell
The current High Representative for Common Foreign and Security policy. He is a center left former foreign minister of Spain and a former president of the European Parliment.
British rebate question
The British felt that they contributed too much to the EU but didn’t get enough in return so they were given a rebate on some of their dues so that they didn’t pay as much to the EU.
Britain’s accession to the EC
Britain originally stayed out of the EC but rejoined because they were concerned about being left behind
Cabinet of Jacques Delors
Extremely pro-integration. Helped Delors write the white paper.
Cabinets of Commissioners
Advisors and aides of commissioners. Similar to chiefs of staff of a senator
Cassis de Dijon/principle of mutual recognition
French wanted to sell an alcohol called Cassis de Dijon but it didn’t fall within the German alcohol classification system. Germans didn’t know how to regulate it so the didn’t sell it. French said if it can be sold in one country it should be sold in all. Principle of mutual recognition is the codification of this principle that says that if one country recognizes a product that they sell then all have to recognize it.
Winston Churchill
A big supporter of European integration to promote peace and stability but preferred a confederate strategy rather than a federal one
Charter of Fundamental Rights
Similar to a Bill of Rights. It gives EU citizens some personal freedoms for living in the EU. Created by the Treaty of Lisbon
Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)
A central Pillar of the EU created by the Maastricht Treaty that allows the Eu to function jointly on foreign policy.
Constitutionalization of the EU
Constitutional treaty in mid 2000s tries to make the EU more transparent to the people of Europe.
Community method/supranationalism (mode of governance)
Member states give up some sovereignty. central institutions are empowered to make decisions
Commission’s responsibility/accountability to the European Parliament
Commission president is voted in my Parliament and the Parliament can vote to censure the Commission if the Commission is not acting properly
Convention on the Future of Europe
A joint undertaking of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission to listen to Europeans in order for them to have their say on the future of Europe, through a citizen-led series of debates and discussions. 2001
Coordination method/open method of coordination (OMC)
A way of coordinating between countries where a goal is decided upon, members monitor each other’s progress towards their targets, then countries are shamed or applauded for their progress on the goals. Criticized for having a mixed record, voluntary basis and no real enforcement.
Costa vs ENEL ruling
Established the idea that EU Law supersedes national law in cases where the EU is concerned
COREPER
The preparatory body for the Council of the European Union. They solve smaller issues so that the commission can focus on larger issues that require more debate and compromise
Council of Europe
NOT affiliated with the EU. Rather a separate institution for human rights
Council of the European Union/ Council of Ministers
A legislative authority with some executive powers that meets in configurations of the ministers based on policy. Aided by COREPER
Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ)
The Judicial Authority of the European Union that ensures that Legislation is applied and applied properly. It is composed of one judge per member state.
Customs union
A form of economic integration where there is free trade(No internal tariffs) and shared external tariffs and trade policy
Charles De Gaulle
President of France 1959-1969. Very opposed one large supranational European entity idea. Wanted intergovernmental cooperation between sovereign states instead. Championed nation state and often tries to block integration.
Jacques Delors
1985-1995 Finance minister. architect of single market and Euro. Took advantage of MS preferences for negative integration (removing barriers rather than creating new regulation). Tied single market to QMV and strengthens the commission
Directorate General
European commission meets as directorate generals that deal with specific policy areas
Early visions of Europe (Spinelli, Churchill, Monnet; how they differ)
Spinelli wanted a United Federal European state with its own military
Churchill wanted a Confederation of states that would work together
Monnet wanted to generate integration through building institutions.
ECOFIN
The Economic and Financial Affairs Council Configuration
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)
The EMU sets the groundwork for more European financial integration and the single currency in 2002
Empowerment of the European Parliament over time
From SEA, Maastricht, Amsterdam, and Lisbon all expanded the EP’s power giving them QMV, powers over the Commission and extending codecision procedure
Empty Chair crisis
In 1965 De Gaulle pulled French representatives from the Council of Ministers in the European commission for financing the common agriculture policy. Led to the Luxembourg compromise
EU citizenship
EU Citizens can go to any European embassy for help. They have citizenship everywhere in the EU and are free to travel anywhere. Also covered by the fundamental rights
European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) (What was it? What was its purpose?
Institutional setup? Significance?)
An institution to integrate coal and steel industries of Benelux countries and Germany under one central authority. Composed of
1. High authority (Executive body)
2. Court of Justice (Judicial body)
3. Council of Ministers (Legislative body)
4. Common assembly (No power, advisory)
European Commission
An executive body of the EU composed of one member from each member state. They are responsible for proposing EU legislation and budget, implementing and enforcing EU law, and representing the EU internationally. Divided into Directorates-General each responsible for different policy areas. Commission president is nominated by European Council and Elected by the European Parliament
European Community (aka “European Communities”)
The precursors to the European union. A series of different communities such as the EEC, EAEC, ECSC. They were eventually consolidated and incorporated into the EU framework
European Council
An Executive Body of the EU composed of heads of state and government of all 27 member states and meets 6 times a year. Sets the overall agenda for the EU. Chaired by a full time president
European Economic Community
An economic institution that lays foundation for a closer union and forms the European Common Market. Institution based in Brussels and structure similar to ECSC. Does introduce qualified majority voting(QMV) rather than unanimity.
European Parliament
A Legislative branch of the EU. Composed of 751 elected representatives from the member states. They amend and adopt legislation and budget and monitor other institutions. The Parliament formally elects the commission president and the team of commissioners and can censure the entire commission
Eurosclerosis
The period of European integration in the 70s where there was little integration due to De Gaulle and France blocking it. Ended by Jacques Delors restarting the integration push in the 80s