Regionalism and the EU

Question 1

First regional intergovernmental organisation

Answer 1

Danube Commission in 1856 between states on the Danube, ensured protection of the river’s uses, reflects the most obvious reason for regionalism as shared environment.

Question 2

Definition of regionalism

Answer 2

Institutions that express a particular identity and shape collective action within a geographical region.

Question 3

Economic regionalism

Answer 3

Focuses on financial and trade aspects, trade blocs, vast majority of states belong to a regional trade bloc.

Question 4

Security regionalism

Answer 4

Achieving peace and security, either through interconnectedness which makes war impossible, or binding against a common enemy e.g. ASEAN originally against communism in SE Asia.

Question 5

Political regionalism

Answer 5

States seek to protect their shared values and enhance voice in the world, AU and Arab League founded in this.

Question 6

Europe’s post war regionalism

Answer 6

First region to undergo move to co-operation, resolution that Europe should never go to war again after twentieth century, people like Jean Monnet thought war could be made impossible through interconnectedness, triggered the Coal and Steel Community in 1951 as these materials necessary for war were now not under state control.

Question 7

Regionalisms affect on globalisation

Answer 7

Heightens globalisation, increase of regional trade directly boosts economic globalisation, political globalisation and regionalism essentially the same thing, governance to solve mutual problems.

Question 8

Opinions of globalisation sceptics on regionalism

Answer 8

On one hand regional organisation defend against globalisation by pooling their sovereignty, whereas some also criticise regionalism seeing the impact on communities and jobs by increasing ease of trade.

Question 9

How is democracy undermined by regionalism

Answer 9

Supranational of intergovernmental bodies that make binding decisions that lack accountability, e.g. the EU allowing freedom of movement, around 750 000 Polish people have moved to the UK in recent years, but public have no say on this, led to Brexit, in US NAFTA perceived as outsourcing jobs to Mexico and blamed for industry closures.

Question 10

Benefit of corporations from regionalism

Answer 10

Above ordinary producers, trade increases it benefits TNCs over local or national producers, feeds into cultural homogenisation, states cannot protect own industries because terms of regional bodies tend to prevent this. Despite the level playing field argument, EU states don’t currently have same corporation tax which is as high as 33% in France and 10% in Bulgaria, Ireland has secured Apple investment despite other strict laws due to low tax rates at 12.5%.

Question 11

How can regionalism challenge TNCs

Answer 11

Since TNCs have more wealth than states like Apple $200b in cash reserves, more than the GDP of Morocco, generally try to seek out low labour costs and with lower tax regulations, and because states want TNC investment this can trigger a race to the bottom, regional bodies (esp. EU) prevent states undercutting one another and level playing field.

Question 12

Pooled voice in trade negotiations example

Answer 12

When negotiating the TTIP in 2016, differences like EU not allowing hormones in it’s meat, EU sought protection for geographically protected names like ‘Champagne’ and protection of the french-language film industry, as individual deal the terms would not have been as favourable to the much weaker EU states.

Question 13

Arguments for more regionalism

Answer 13

• Almost all states in regional trade block and lots want to join EU, must be for a reason
• ASEAN is continuing to integrate in other areas than economics
• Arab league has been defending Syria in civil war
• Even with Brexit there will still be enhanced trade with EU
• Issues like climate change and conflict have not gone away
• Revival of fears in Europe of security especially along Russian border
• What alternatives are there?

Question 14

Arguments for less regionalism

Answer 14

• Brexit
• ASEAN is not bold and disagreements e.g. over human rights in the organisation
• Arab league has achieved little in Syria
• Significant opposition in US to NAFTA and other regional trade, support for Trump and Sanders in the election
• Democratic support for ‘taking control’
• Seems to benefit the big corporations, strong reaction against
• Co-operation is necessary but does not have to be in such formal structures.

Question 15

Impact of regionalism on legal sovereignty

Answer 15

States can leave, no compulsion to stay so states are free to follow own interests.

Question 16

Impact of regionalism on political or state sovereignty

Answer 16

May be seen to have surrendered sovereignty as have to co-operate on decisions, whereas some may feel they have increased it by pooling sovereignty.

Question 17

Impact of regionalism on internal sovereignty

Answer 17

States are legally sovereign in own territory but regional organisations sometimes restrict law making powers e.g. EU law is higher law for member states and can overrule internal national legislation, states cannot control immigration from other states.

Question 18

Development of NAFTA

Answer 18

Founded in 1992 between the three states, free-trade to improve prosperity for them, is no longer NAFTA as was rewritten under Trump who called in ‘worst trade deal ever’ due to loss of jobs, now the USMCA resigned 2018, world’s largest free trade zone.

Question 19

Development of the AU

Answer 19

Founded 1999, 54 member states, establish integration between African states, rid continent of colonisation and apartheid, promote unity, safeguard territorial integrity, promote international co-operation, has been taking an increasingly economic role with free-trade area, Africa-China trade 4x US-China trade, growing global voice e.g. invited to G7 summit last year.

Question 20

Development of the Arab League

Answer 20

Founded in 1945 with middle eastern and north african states, to encourage and protect common interests, now has 22 members but faces divisions e.g. over the Syrian civil war, significant security role in protecting sovereignty, plans for multilateralism as has had summits with the EU.

Question 21

Development of ASEAN

Answer 21

Founded 1967, now has 10 members including Indonesia, Thailand etc. to encourage development and promote peace, as well as ensure adherence to principles of the UN charter, in 2016 as a group the 6th largest economy in the world, security concerns due to threat of China in the South China Sea.

Question 22

Timeline of European integration

Answer 22

1951 ECSC formed with 6 members to create a ‘supranational’ institution to control material needed for rearmament
1957 Through Treaty of Rome they set up a common market now EEC
1973 Denmark Ireland and the UK join the EEC in first widening
1986 Creation of the single market and passing of more powers
1993 Maastricht Treaty completes the single market, ‘four freedoms’ and creates the EU
1995 Schengen Area is epablished
2002 12 states began using the Euro
2004 Attempts to introduce a European Constitution but rejection by French and Dutch voters so scraped.

Question 23

Examples of fostering interdependence post-WW2

Answer 23

The ECSC, consensus reached in the 1944 Bretton Woods conference, US Marshall Plan which planned to increase prosperity in Europe and therefore stability, preventing integration with the west rather than succumbing to communism.

Question 24

Security in the EU

Answer 24

Rely on each other, close co-operation for anti-terrorism, Europol enhances police co-operation, European Arrest Warrant allows for arrest anywhere in the EU, now a formal foreign policy and action through the European External Action Service (EEAS), difficult to achieve but can carry much more weight, however most security in Europe through NATO.

Question 25

Why did more states join the EU

Answer 25

Desire for the same economic growth, attempts to emulate success with the European Free Trade Association, some coming out of right wing dictatorship s like Spain or Greece and some out of the Soviet bloc mean want democratic stability.

Question 26

Funtionalism of the EU

Answer 26

EU serves a function, whilst not all are driven towards federalism some politicians look at it rationally, and functionally extend powers.

Question 27

Neo-functionalism explanation of the EU

Answer 27

Integration is inevitable as one stage opens up another, once there is a single market, logical there should be a currency, once there are lowered borders, logical there should be police cooperation.

Question 28

The European Commission

Answer 28

28 commissioners one from each country, each ahs role as head of a Directorate-General, proposes laws and budgets, implements laws, represents all of EU and it’s interests.

Question 29

The European Council

Answer 29

Heads of government of the member states, makes key decisions and sets the political agenda, represents the member states.

Question 30

Council of the European Union

Answer 30

Ministers from the governments of the member states, passes and amends legislation, represents the member states.

Question 31

European Parliament

Answer 31

Directly elected MEPs from the member states, passes and amends legislation and approves the commission, represents the people of the EU directly.

Question 32

Court of Justice of the European Union

Answer 32

One judge from each member state, interprets EU law.

Question 33

Key landmarks in EU widening

Answer 33

1986 entry of Spain and Portugal after fascist dictatorship
2004 joining of 10 new countries, 8 of them formerly soviet, largest expansion
2013 last state to join Croatia
2020 UK first country to leave
Bosnia and Herzegovina recently opened membership talks, Montenegro quite far along, renewed pressure to enlarge with Russian invasion.

Question 34

Treaty of Rome

Answer 34

1957 formed the EEC and it’s institutional framework.

Question 35

Single European Act

Answer 35

1986 made provision for the single market, largest transfer of sovereignty in order to make it work.

Question 36

Maastricht treaty

Answer 36

1992 formed the EU and gave powers to the European Parliament, introduces QMV in Council of Ministers, made provision for currency and the social chapter, now not just an economic union.

Question 37

Amsterdam treaty

Answer 37

1997 strengthened foreign policy, more powers to European parliament, some preparation for eastwards enlargement after the cold war.

Question 38

The European Constitution

Answer 38

Provisional in 2004, intended to replace all previous treaties in one document and an exit clause suggested, opposition from voters e.g. in France and the Netherlands, EU beginning to look like a federal state.

Question 39

Treaty of Lisbon

Answer 39

2007 more powers to Commission and parliament, EEAS set up as well as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, president of the council and president of the commission.

Question 40

Effect of the Euro on Greece

Answer 40

Did not meet the criteria to join but felt it should for political reasons, now it could borrow at cheaper interest rates because stronger states like Germany lower them, however after 2008 had to rely on loans from the EU and the IMF, youth unemployment hit 60%, critics argued the Euro encouraged too much spending and benefitted countries with industrial capabilities, debt in 2015 estimated at 177% of GDP, can’t devalue currency to kickstart economy as they would be expected to do, EU countries could write off debt but that would be very unpopular with their populations.

Question 41

How can Greece be used to argue for more integration

Answer 41

Argue that when Euro introduced there was not enough integration as they did not pool fiscal policies only monetary, perhaps there should be more supranational fiscal policy, Greece caused own financial troubles by borrowing too much and hiding debts, could allow inspections of each others budgets, however would impact sovereignty, could also have a banking union creating a level playing field for the banking industry.

Question 42

Intergovernmental decision making in EU

Answer 42

Still used but has declined, requires unanimity so all states have a veto, foreign policy requires it, as well as for admitting new members, or new treaties e.g. regional Belgian government of Wallonia threatened to veto 2016 EU-Canadian free trade deal, almost completely derailed it, 2 intergovernmental institutions C of E and ECouncil

Question 43

Supranational decision making in the EU

Answer 43

Only truly supranational body in the world, the Commission and ECJ as well as parts of the Council of the European Union make binding decisions, only reason the singly market works is because states are independent from the EC and ECJ as it was felt states could not stop themselves prioritising national interest, 4 supranational institutions ECommission, EP, ECJ and ECB.

Question 44

Cassis de Dijon case

Answer 44

Germany set rule that liqueurs must be a certain strength so banned Cassis de Dijon, ECJ ruled unlawful as it was a protectionist move to preserve market for its own liqueurs, Cassis de Dijon was not dangerous and as long as it was clearly labelled was not sold as German, so had to sell it.

Question 45

QMV

Answer 45

Used in the Council of the European Union where each states government is represented on 80% of legislation, must receive 55% of member state’s support, and 65% of population of EU represented by those states, meaning no country has a veto, balances interests as 20 countries have a population less than 2.5% of the total, with QMV neither large or small states can thwart the other, rarely used to force decisions more to encourage negotiation rather than defaulting to veto.

Question 46

EU’s political influence

Answer 46

Most successful example of regionalism, can make countries change to be admitted e.g. Croatia last, can mould global opinions on environmental issues as significant representative at conferences e.g. Paris, however each of the 28 member states have different national ideas which limits cohesive image.

Question 47

EU’s economic influence

Answer 47

Largest single market in the world and has over 500m citizens, represented at WTO, however marred by Eurozone crisis and Brexit.

Question 48

EU’s structural influence

Answer 48

Represents different national interests and fosters a habit of working together, France and the UK both represented on the UNSC and EU represented in it’s own right in the G20, however varied states mean different geo-political priorities.

Question 49

EU’s military influence

Answer 49

Most part of NATO, the EEAS, Berlin Group, Rapid Reaction Force, historic co-operation with states like Mali to foster peace and security e.g. 2018 Presidential Election Observation Mission deployed, however most security is outsourced to NATO which not all states are member of, different defence priorities such as Russia.

Question 50

EU Social Fund

Answer 50

10% of EU budget spent on it, projects to reduce unemployment, has also harmonised labour laws through EU directives.

Question 51

EU and the environment

Answer 51

Managed to introduce laws not possible at an international level, aimed to achieve following by 2020: 20% of energy from renewables, 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, number of environmental directives enforceable by the ECJ.

Question 52

EU impact on poverty

Answer 52

EU is world’s largest donor in 2015 provided $15.6b in development aid for things such as humanitarian aid and infrastructure.

Question 53

CAP

Answer 53

Agricultural policy, covers half EU budget at $30b, criticisms is it makes it harder for non-EU states to buy and sell produce.

Question 54

Does the EU have a democratic deficit

Answer 54

Yes: none of the 5 presidents are directly elected, the 28 commissioners that make up the EC are nominated not elected, 33 000 civil servants, very little understanding of how the EU works or it’s political groupings.
No: all current presidents elected by parliament or heads of state, direct elections would undermine national leaders, EU system is not that different from US or UK, UK has over 400 000 civil servants, individual nation states should be responsible for civic education and understanding not the EU itself.

Question 55

EU election turnout

Answer 55

Consistently lower than general elections, 2014 was only 43%.

Question 56

Law of Subsidirity

Answer 56

Limits supranational institutions a they can only act where individual states are incapable of acting, plus states can withdraw from certain agreements and from EU altogether.