Midterm Flashcards
What makes the EU different from other internal organizations?
The EU has binding legal authority over its member states, unlike UN or WTO.
What is the difference between federalism and confederalism?
Confederalism: Loose union of sovereign states with minimal central authority.
Federalism: Strong central government with shared sovereignty.
The EU is a mix of both!
What are functionalism and neofunctionalism?
Functionalism: Integration begins in specific sectors and spreads.
Neofunctionalism: Political elites drive deeper integration beyond economics.Functionalism: Integration begins in specific sectors and spreads.
How does the EU compare to other regional organizations?
The EU is the most advanced integration model, while others like NAFTA (USMCA) and ASEAN focus on economic cooperation.
How has Europe’s identity changed over time?
It evolved from a geographical and cultural entity to a political union with shared governance.
Why are Europe’s geographical boundaries unclear?
Some countries (e.g., Turkey, Ukraine) are debated as part of Europe, and EU membership is not purely based on geography.
What challenges does the EU face in defining “European identity”?
Cultural and political diversity, nationalism, and lack of a shared history among all member states.
What was the Schuman Plan (1950)?
A proposal to create the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) to integrate war-critical industries and prevent conflict.
What treaty established the European Economic Community (EEC)?
The Treaty of Rome (1957).
What did the Single European Act (1986) do?
Expanded economic integration and laid the groundwork for deeper political cooperation.
What treaty created the modern European Union?
The Maastricht Treaty (1992), which introduced the Euro and EU citizenship.
What was the purpose of the Lisbon Treaty (2007)?
Strengthened EU institutions and increased the power of the European Parliament.
What is the role of the European Commission?
Proposes laws, enforces EU treaties, and manages policies.
What does the Council of Ministers do?
Represents member states and passes laws with Parliament.
What is the European Parliament’s role?
Represents EU citizens, votes on laws, and approves the budget.
What is the European Court of Justice (ECJ) responsible for?
Ensuring EU law is applied uniformly across all member states.
What does the European Council do?
Sets the EU’s political agenda and includes heads of state.
What is the EU’s “democratic deficit”?
The perceived lack of transparency and accountability, as many decisions are made by unelected officials.
What are some efforts to reduce the EU’s democratic deficit?
Strengthening the European Parliament’s power.
Increasing citizen participation (e.g., petitions, referenda).
What is “People’s Europe”?
A movement to promote EU identity through programs like Erasmus+ and EU symbols (flag, anthem, passport).
How often are European elections held?
Every 5 years, where citizens elect Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
What was the Brexit referendum?
A 2016 vote in the UK to leave the EU, illustrating the impact of referenda in EU decision-making.
What role do interest groups play in the EU?
Lobbying EU institutions to influence policy (e.g., business groups, labor unions, NGOs).
What reforms improved EU transparency?
The Lisbon Treaty (2007) and public access to EU documents.
