regionalism and the EU

Question 1

what is the difference between economic, political and security forms of regionalism?

Answer 1

Economic regionalism - web of economic interconnectedness between countries on a regional scale. policies can include shared tariffs, quotas, currency, etc. For example: NAFTA

Political regionalism – the growth of regional governance over multiple countries. This includes common laws and common ways of enforcement. For example, the EU.

Security regionalism – the growing reliance on neighbour states in a regional bloc for mutual security policies and collective interest. For example, NATO.

Question 2

what is the relationship between regionalism and globalisation?

Answer 2

globalisation is the growing interconnectedness of states, with interdependent economies and a share of values / customs across borders.

Whereas regionalism represents this interdependence yet on a more regional, local scale. neighbouring countries may become more reliant on one another and their economies may becoming more interconnected.

^The growth of regionalism will however effect the growth of globalisation and its impact. economic regionalism means that they will agree to common tariffs, quotas, etc on all other countries outside the regional bloc. this means globalisation will be reduced when regionalism is increased.

Question 3

what are the 5 regional institutions you need to know?

Answer 3

1. The EU
2. NAFTA (North American free trade association)
3. African Union (AU)
4. Arab League
5. ASEAN (association of south East Asian nations)

Question 4

What is NAFTA and how has it been a success?

Answer 4

NAFTA is a form of economic regionalism. An agreement between the USA, Canada and Mexico for a free trade zone between themselves. In this agreement, they do not affect how each other interacts with other countries. For example, the USA has a complete embargo on Cuba, yet Mexico has free trade with Cuba. This shifted production of certain goods from a high-cost country (like Canada) to a low-cost country which improved allocative efficiency and generates higher incomes, thus boosting GDP for all member states. From the removal of trade barriers, this meant that they could exercise comparative advantage – where you produce at your lowest opportunity cost. The NAFTA agreement is now worth $1.2 trillion from this boost of efficiency.

Question 5

what is the evaluation to the effectiveness of NAFTA?

Answer 5

However, many issues for state sovereignty can start to arise from the NAFTA agreement. For example, during Donalds Trump 2016 election, he stated the NAFTA agreement was the “worst trade deal ever approved”. This was because the agreement was seen to create more problems than good for the USA – they saw a growth in structural unemployment due to shifting sectors abroad (namely, Mexico where the cost of production is much lower from fewer legislation), and thus lost out on such agreement. This led to Trump try to reclaim some sovereignty over what goes on in his own boarders, and he re-negotiated the NAFTA treated in 2016, by getting Mexico and Canada to agree for higher tariffs on American goods seeing as they’re facing higher unemployment. Yet Canda also wanted some of other policies re-negotiated as they felt they had loss control over the state of their dairy market – in the new agreement (called USMCA) they stated America should remove their protectionist policies on their own dairy industry in order for Canada to better compete.

Question 6

what is the African union and how has it been successful?

Answer 6

The African union is made up of 55 African states, and is an intergovernmental organisation - its decisions do not take sovereignty away from its members if they don’t wish to.

success:

-The African union was committed to the end of apartheid in south Africa – in which it had to lobby and sanction in order to achieve this aim. It mimics the framework of the EU – having its own liberation committee who donated weapons and money to the regime. It also launched several NGOs across Africa to assist governance across the continent.

• African continental free trade agreement - which is said to have generated $3 trillion dollars - this is worth more than the NAFTA agreement. This agreement has allowed for African countries to better specialise and exercise division of labour, allowing for greater productive efficiency and greater profit.

Question 7

what is the evaluation to the effectiveness of the African union?

Answer 7

However, they have a lot of structural weaknesses. In 2016, the AU launched a campaign “silence the guns by 2020”. However, they proved powerless to prevent terrorists and coups within Africa, and therefore changed the slogan to “silence the guns by 2030”. It has also failed to get members to pay their annual dues. The current penalty for failure to pay is being suspended – however they must fail to pay 2 years in a row, and this is clearly not being shown as a big enough deterrent.

Just like the Eu, countries can easily leave the Arican Union – with Morocco leaving in 1984. This was over territory disputes. The African union stated it recognized Western Sahara’s independence, however Morocco regarded this as apart of their own country. Before this, it was the only country in Africa that was not apart of the Arican Union. However, they have rejoined the AU in recent years, showing how the economic benefits maybe too good to pass. Also, south African is apart of the G20 and apart of the African Union, and therefore it appears bigger actors are within the AU.

Question 8

what is Arab league and how has it been successful?

Answer 8

Made up of 22 Arab nations. Their founding charter states founding members (Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, etc.) was greater cooperation on areas like: economics, social welfare, health, etc.

1950 pact – acts of aggression against one member state is an act of aggression against all member states.

They have their own Arab charter of human rights.

Thie charter states that decisions reached by a majority should only impact those that voted in favor for it. In this sense, it doesn’t have any legally binding power over its member states. This limits their ability to take collective action.

The Arab league has been successful at collective action against the existence of Israel. The Khartoum resolution was issued in the 60s – known as the 3 no’s. No peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with Israel. They have remained an official boycott of trade with Israel since 1948.

Question 9

what is the evaluation to the Arab leagues effectiveness?

Answer 9

However, due to this lack of enforcement onto members, most action taken is made by individual states within the Arab league – rather than the Arab league itself. For example, during the civil war in Lebanon, the Arab league had limited success in trying to negotiate a peace deal – yet individual powers like Saudi Arabia and Syria helped end the conflict by creating the Taif agreement. Although this process was dubbed under the Arab League, it was really those two countries at the driving force. It has therefore been dubbed the nickname a glorified debating society – as it doesn’t have any real enforcement.

Equally, collective action does not seem so enforceable. For example,
in 1948, all founding members took up arms with Israel following its newly founded independence. This marked the first collective action the League had taken yet ended up with strong opposition from the Israelis – however they failed to bring down the state, and ultimately killed their own people and the oppositions people in the process. This defeat from the Arab League was known as the “Nakba” - translating to catastrophe.

Question 10

what is ASEAN and how has it been successful?

Answer 10

Is made up of 10 nation states (Thailand, Singapore, etc.) its original intention was to stop the spread of communism in Asia. Its membership policy is based on the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

They have had a free trade zone called the AFA (ASEAN Free Trade) since 1995, after they successfully removed all tariffs. Their trade is currently worth $2.6 trillion. This has promoted economic growth within the region.

In 1995 they also agreed a nuclear free zone in southeast Asia.

There is also the ASEAN + 3 which also includes China.

Question 11

what is the evaluation to the effectiveness of ASEAN?

Answer 11

However, their consensus-based decision-making process and emphasis on non-interference in internal affairs has limited their ability to address regional issues effectively. Economic disparities across all member states have posed an issue for reaching a united consensus / action plan. Individual countries within ASEAN are finding it hard to support all of its initiatives due to their own economic relationship with their largest trading partner – China. There are tensions between the Philippines and China over military exercises / experiments in their neighboring region. China has previously blocked the Philippines ships which were transporting military equipment.

Human Rights Concern: ASEAN has been criticized for its failure to address human right concerns within their block. For example, the Rohingya crisis. The Rohingya are a minority in Myanmar who have experienced persecution / violence, leading to a humanitarian crisis. ASEANS non-interference principle has limited their ability to get involved in internal affairs. Equally its link to China has also shown a reluctancy to uphold human rights – ASEAN did not make a stand against China during their Uyghurs genocide.

Question 12

what are the aims of the European union and which act states their aims?

Answer 12

The Lisbon treaty (article 3) states the aims and values of the EU.

Its aims:
1) promote peace
2) facilitate economic growth
3) promote its values
4) maintain international law

Question 13

what are the 5 key institutions in the European union that you need to know?

Answer 13

1. the European council
2. European commission
3. council of the EU (council of ministers)
4. European parliament
5. European court of justice

Question 14

what is the European council?

Answer 14

The European council – is made up of all the heads of government of member states in the EU – all of their prime ministers. They meet 4 times a year and there is an EU president who represents them on the world stage, for example during COP meetings. They decide what the focus for the EU should be (like the topic of the environment) yet not the actual policies.

Question 15

what is the evaluation to the effectiveness of the European council?

Answer 15

However, the head of the EU council is not elected by the electorate, but rather than the head of governments. Therefore, it is like indirect democracy, as although the head of governments are elected directly, the EU president isn’t – and therefore their power and influence can be questioned. Seeing as the EU council cannot actually propose policies, it seems more for show / press coverage than anything else.

Question 16

what is the European commission?

Answer 16

European Commission – is made up of 28 commissioners, one for each member state. They are appointed by the EU and cannot act in the interest of their home country – rather the EU as a collective. Each commissioner is responsible for setting and managing an area of policy – such as trade, education, etc. They are the only body to propose EU law and the only body for implementing them. It also has the financial power to draft the EU budget and distribute money to its members. It can take legal action against states that refuse to implement their policies.

Question 17

what is the evaluation to the effectiveness of the European commission?

Answer 17

However, this is the institution that seems to take too much sovereignty away from member states. The treaty of Rome emphasizes the commission independence in decision making. This seems especially problematic as they are not at all democratically elected by the public of each nation state – yet hold the most power.

Question 18

what is the council of the EU (council of ministers)?

Answer 18

council of the EU (council of ministers) - is made up of a minister from each member state. It does not propose any legislation, however in order for legislation to pass into law, the council of the EU and the EU parliament must vote in favor for it. This council sets political guidelines and has the power to sign international agreements with other non-EU countries. The number of votes that each minister has in the council reflects their population.

Question 19

what is the evaluation to its effectiveness?

Answer 19

However, council meetings that do not relate to any legislation can be taken in secret, and it therefore can be difficult for national governments to keep up with changes that have been made, or for anyone else to scrutinize or fact check what is being discussed. In 2005, tory MPs wrote into the council stating “The EU is the only legislative body in the world, apart from North Korea, that still makes laws in secret.”

Question 20

what is the European parliament?

Answer 20

European parliament – is the only directly elected EU institution. However, it can only accept, reject or amend laws proposed by the commission – rather than proposing such laws themselves. It has the power of co-decision making alongside the council of ministers and can VETO a new member into the EU. The European parliament used its powers to force to resignation of the entire European commission in 1999. The number of ministers of European parliament each country has represents its population.

Question 21

what is the evaluation to the effectiveness of the European parliament?

Answer 21

However, although it is meant to be directly elected, the electorate in each European country do not take these elections seriously enough. As a result, they have a very low turnout – for example, in 2019 only 37% of the Uk voted, and only 30% of Portugal voted. This means although they are voted by the people, not by a lot of the people, and we can start to question their claims of democratic legitimacy.

Question 22

what is the European court of justice?

Answer 22

European Court of Justice - this court enforces EU laws, made within EU treaties and initiatives. In areas of EU law, it is the highest court of appeal, outranking national supreme courts. Its judgment can affect both states and individuals. The case of Costa vs ENEL ruled that when national law and EU law conflict, the EU law takes precedent. National courts (like the supreme court in the Uk) can now actually strike down any act of parliament that may conflict with EU law before it is passed. The court is made up of a judge from each nation state.

Question 23

what is the evaluation to the effectiveness of the European court of justice?

Answer 23

However, questions can start to arise over the sovereignty this institution takes away from national governments. Law is the most fundamental aspect of national sovereignty and EU law should not be supreme over national law. If a national government loses its ability to legislate, it becomes unclear what their real role actually is. This is exacerbated by the fact the EU court of Justice takes a long-time deliberating cases, which can actually hinder progress.

Question 24

what are the 2 most important treaties in the creation / development of the EU?

Answer 24

1) The Treaty of Amsterdam (1997) - created open borders between 12 states. It also got rid of the VETO in many areas and instead introduced the Qualified Majority Voting – where 55% of member states, who account for 65% of the population have to agree to a law for it to pass.

2) The Lisbon Treaty (2007) - it brought the charter of fundamental rights into European law. This treaty had to be ratified by all 27 members before it came into force. Vetos were also removed in40 other areas like climate change, energy, security, etc. However, unanimity is still required in areas like tax, foreign policy, defence and social security. Poland and the Uk also opted out of the charter of fundamental rights.

Question 25

How has the EUs monetary union been successful?

Answer 25

A monetary union allows for a removal of barriers to trade (like tariffs, quotas) and all factors of production (including labour) are traded freely across borders. They also have a common central bank which sets their monetary policy.

This means that greater specialisation can occur in each other country as they can specialise production to what their own geographics allows for, and then trade any surplus supply - countries can now experience greater comparative advantage due to the removal of trade barriers amongst each other.

This will result in trade creation - where more goods are produced overall than they were if all countries had to pay tariffs.

Question 26

what is the evaluation to the successfulness of the monetary union?

Answer 26

Members of a monetary union lose their monetary policy autonomy. Therefore in order for a monetary union to be successful, all countries in the union must be at a similar stage in their trade cycles and have similar levels of debt. A central bank must therefore be established to set such monetary policy (control over interest rates and quantattive easing) for all countries involved.

However this poses an issue as a monetary inion doesn’t effect a countries fiscal policy- yet a country’s fiscal policy will contribute towards their national debt, and thus effect the effectiveness of your monetary policy.

for example, during the 2008 eurozone crisis, Greece and Ireland desperately needed to change their interest rate, yet didn’t have this monetary policy freedom/control anymore. These nations were required to be bailed out with EU funds – costing the rest of Europe.

This explains why Britain and Denmark chose to opt-out of the euro when it was first introduced – with Gordon Brown (then chancellor) denying the PM the switch to the euro – he created 5 tests that the scheme would have to pass and insisted the Treasury (his department) would decide whether it had or not. This led to Brown rejecting the euro, from his own evidence/findings.

Question 27

what is the difference between supranational and intergovernmental approaches to global governance? and how is this shown in the different institutes of the EU?

Answer 27

Supranationalism – states delegate legal responsibility to a higher body, to make the decisions for them instead. They lose the right to veto and are bound by a majority verdict. In this system, individual states may have to abide by a policy that negatively affects them, yet positively affects the rest of the EU. For example: European commission.

Intergovernmental – co-operation chosen freely. States have control over the extent of co-operation they want to have. This involves no loss of sovereignty – and usually a VETO is given to ensure this remains the case. For example: council of ministers.