The UK and the EU Flashcards
What was the significance of the Lisbon Treaty?
It codified the principles from an attempted EU constitution that had been rejected in referendums by the Netherlands and France. Crucially, it contained Article 50, introducing the first mechanism by which a member state could leave the EU
Why did the UK decline to become part of the European Coal and Steel Community?
Because it saw itself as separate from Europe
Why did the conservative government eventually allow the UK to become part of the EEC in 1973?
As the consequences of the loss of empire and lack of economic competitiveness became clear, they began to see membership as the best way of preserving the UK’s economic security
Why did Labour originally oppose joining the EEC?
They saw it as a means of promoting the capitalists at the expense of the workers
What happened after the UK joined the EEC in 1973?
Heath’s conservative government was replaced by a Labour government that was divided on the issue a year later. It held a referendum to establish public support for continued membership and the remain side won
How has the conservatives’ relationship with Europe changed over time?
After initially favouring the free market benefits of the EEC, as it turned into the EU, with greater integration of policies, monetary concerns and freedom of movement, many conservatives became Eurosceptics who feared the UK losing power and sovereignty in the face of an EU that was growing in power
How has the EU achieved its political aims?
- It has helped the spread of liberal democracy by demanding that member states by making them accept the ECHR and by using the lore of prosperity promised by the single market to impose their political values upon Europe
- Acted as a block against Russia - promoting democracy to states previously under authoritarian rule
- There have been no wars between member states since the creation of the EEC and Europe has been remarkably conflict free
How has the EU failed to achieve its political aims?
- It lacks an actual military. This means it can only take limited action against aggressors and can therefore not take a proactive stance in preserving peace in Europe
- For instance, they have only been able to impose sanctions upon Russia as they have attacked Crimea and Ukraine, which appear to have had insubstantial impact
- Member states like Russia and Poland have passed anti-gay legislation and have attempted to seize control of the judiciary, both of which go against EU principles despite being member states
List the EU’s economic successes
- The euro has become a major international currency and has facilitated the speed up of trade in Europe
- It has led to increased economic cohesion, with common standards being met
List the EU’s economic failures
- The sovereign debt crisis showed that the euro was too strong a currency for weaker economies. It has led to austerity measures and resentment from the richer member states who had to bail them out
- The UK, Denmark and Sweden declined to become part of the euro and member states are becoming increasingly hostile to the lack of control and loss of sovereignty associated with giving up your national currency
List the EU’s social policy successes
- The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights standardised things like maternity leave and pay, the prohibition of employment discrimination and the receiving of services
- Nominally, all states adhere to the principles of equality
- The EU has a seat in and is consulted by international organisations
List the EU’s social policy failures
- Even though rights may have been standardised under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, there is little the EU can do to impose them upon member states
- Some socially conservative Eastern states are pushing back against the liberalism of the Western ones. This means that there are dramatic variations in how equality is applied across member states and there is little the EU can do to control this
What has the single market allowed former communist states to do?
Develop into strong, modern economies
Why was the UK a beneficiary of the first three EU freedoms?
Because London’s role as the main financial services sector in Europe meant it was aided by three free movement of goods, services and capital
Why did the EU’s fourth freedom become controversial in the UK?
Many leave voters citing unregulated EU immigration as there main reason for wanting to leave. This was especially because the UK is the only EU member state with healthcare that is free at the point of use, leading to accusations of health tourism
