The EU: Significance

Question 1

the significance of the EU as an international body and global actor

Answer 1

the EU’s political influence in global politics

the EU’s economic influence in global politics

the EU’s structural influence in global politics

the EU’s military influence in global politics

Question 2

the EU’s political influence in global politics: STRENGTHS

Answer 2

most successful body of its kind

through enlargement, the EU can get countries to change their ways in order to become members of the EU – as seen in Croatia, Serbia, etc.

can mould global opinions on environmental issues as it has been very influential at Paris and Kyoto conferences

Question 3

the EU’s political influence in global politics: WEAKNESSES

Answer 3

28 member states, all with different national interests, makes agreement hard to achieve and results in a lot of division, reducing its political influence

Question 4

the EU’s economic influence in global politics: STRENGTHS

Answer 4

508 million citizens, makes it the largest single market in the world

TTIP

EU states are represented at the WTO by the European Commission, giving the EU economic leverage and clout

Question 5

the EU’s economic influence in global politics: WEAKNESSES

Answer 5

the Eurozone crisis

Brexit

Question 6

the EU’s structural influence in global politics: STRENGTHS

Answer 6

different national interests represented within institutions

agreement and a habit of working together

UK and France are both permanent members of the UNSC

the EU is represented in the G20 in its own right

IMF has a Europe office, primarily to deal with the EU

Question 7

the EU’s structural influence in global politics: WEAKNESSES

Answer 7

different histories, traditions and cultures within the EU, makes agreement difficult

member states also have different geo-political priorities

Question 8

the EU’s military influence in global politics: STRENGTHS

Answer 8

NATO

EEAS Battlegroups

Berlin Group

Rapid Reaction Force

Example of Mali

Question 9

the EU’s military influence in global politics: WEAKNESSES

Answer 9

separate national militaries rather than one unified European army

not all EU members are also members of NATO

member states have different defence priorities (Russia)