The European Union

Question 1

Treaty of Rome 1957

Answer 1

-Set up the European Economic Community, bringing together Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands to work together towards integration and economic growth through trade.
It established a common market based in the free movement of goods, people, services and capital.

Question 2

Maastricht Treaty 1991

Answer 2

-Introduced European Citizenship, allowing citizens to reside in and move freely between member states.
The Treaty established a common foreign and security policy with the aim of “safeguarding the common values, fundamental interests and independence of the union”.

Question 3

Amsterdam Treaty 1997

Answer 3

-The Treaty introduced a European parliament and helped develop EU law.

Question 4

Nice Treaty 2001

Answer 4

-Within the Treaty of Nice, EU parliaments legislative and supervisory powers are increased and qualified majority voting is extended to more areas within the council.
-The charted of fundamental rights was signed.

Question 5

Lisbon Treaty 2007

Answer 5

-The Treaty of Lisbon gives the EU full legal personality.
-Therefore, the union obtains the ability to sign international treaties in the areas of its attributed powers or to join an international organisation.
-Member states may only sign international agreements that are compatible with EU law.

Question 6

The aims of the European Union (within its borders).

Answer 6

-Promote peace.
-Security and justice.
-Establish an internal market.
-Protect and improve the quality of the environment.
-Promote scientific and technological progress.
-Social justice and protection.
-Enhance economic, social and territorial cohesion.
-Establish an economic and monetary union whose currency is the Euro.

Question 7

The aims of the European Union (outside its borders)

Answer 7

-Uphold and promote its values and interests.
-Contribute to peace and security and the sustainable development of the earth.
-Contribute to solidarity and mutual respect amongst people strict observance of international law.

Question 8

The values of the European Union

Answer 8

-Human dignity
-Freedom
-Democracy
Equality
-Rule of Law
-Human Rights

Question 9

The EU freedoms

Answer 9

-Freedom of travel.
-Workers: can move for work in other member countries.
-Goods: can buy and sell goods in other member countries.
-Capital: can make investments in other member countries.
-Services: can sell services in other member countries.

Question 10

Roles and Functions of EU institutions.

Answer 10

-EU has a unique institutional architecture.
-Includes intergovernmental bodies where national governments meet E.G. council of the EU.
-Supranational bodies that also have their own authority:
-The European Commission.
-The European Parliament.
-Court of Justice.

Question 11

European Commission
Role in the EU and Function

Answer 11

-Role in the EU: Supranational body, President allocates policy portfolios to them within the college of commissioners, represents the EU on the world stage.
-Function: Political and administrative functions. Initiate draft laws in most areas of EU activity, executes EU law, administers EU expenditure and collects revenue.

Question 12

Council of the European Union
Role in the EU and Function

Answer 12

-Role of the EU: Main decision making body of the EU. Previously named council of ministers. Meet in 10 configurations that deal with specific policy. Presidency of the council held by members states for a 6 month period.
-Function: where member states make key decisions on EU law (2 voting methods: unanimity and QMV). Shares law power with parliament, co ordinated economic policies of member states, develop foreign and security policy of union.

Question 13

European Council
Role in the EU and Function

Answer 13

-Role in the EU: Head of Government and foreign ministers meet. Presidents of European Council and European Commission also attend. Meet 4 times a year. President has a 2 1/2 year term.
-Function: EU key strategic body. Discuss major issues, sets political direction for the EU. Make key decisions on foreign policy and EU economic situation. Launch new initiatives and agree changed to treaties.

Question 14

European Parliament
Role in the EU and Function

Answer 14

-Role in the EU: Directly elected institution. Elections every 5 years. 705 MEPs (seats according to population). Party on ideology not nationality. 3 locations (Strasbourg, Brussels, Luxembourg).
-Function: legislative power (shared with council of EU). It cant initiate laws, amend of veto law. Budgetary power (share with council of Eu) request amendments and veto it. Democratic supervision elects president of European Commission, question commissioners and council members.

Question 15

Court of Justice of the European Union
Role in EU and Function

Answer 15

-Role in the EU: Upholds EU law and ensures it is applied uniformly and effectively. 3types of courts.
-Functions: CJEY decides cases involving member states, EU institutions, businesses, and individuals.

Question 16

The European Union Political System

Answer 16

-CJEU is EU independent judicial branch.
-On economic and related policies there are 2 houses on EU legislative branch:
-The council of the EU (equivalent to an upper house where national government are represented).
-European Parliament (lower house with member states according to population).
-European Commission is the executive branch of the EU/ Does not have national cabinets but resembles them in that each commissioner has a policy portfolio.

Question 17

The EU system of government

Answer 17

-‘History making decisions’ are the result of bargains between the EUs most powerful members states and are decided in the European Council.
-‘Day to day decisions’ involve the European Commission, Council of the European Union and European Parliament in decision making.

Question 18

The democratic deficit

Answer 18

The erosion of democratic accountability that occurs when decision making authority is transferred from national government to EU institutions.