Defining the European Union

Defining the European Union

• Defining the EU is complex because it surpasses a standard international organization such as the UN or WTO.
• It is also not a federal United States of Europe or a European superstate.
• Scholars define the EU through terms like multi-level governance, or describe it as sui generis (unique).
• Agreeing on a definition for the EU is difficult and has broad implications, notably regarding public opinion.
• Example implication is the democratic deficit; critics view EU institutions as irresponsible and resist creating more elected offices fearing a federal Europe.
• Some argue the democratic deficit is a fiction, as the EU is not a federal superstate.
• Its institutions are accountable through member state governments and elections to the European Parliament.
• Viewing the EU as a system of authority shapes the perception of its democratic deficit.
• Early analyses of European integration viewed the EU as an international organization.
• Since the 1990s, there's a trend to see the EU as a political system, using comparative politics and public policy perspectives.

Theoretical Approaches to Understanding the EU

• The EU is best seen as a confederal system with federal qualities, more than just an international organization.
• It's a union of independent states pooling authority in areas where cooperation is logical.
• Member states have refrained from establishing an EU government with independent powers.
• The EU is an intergovernmental system where decisions are made by member state governments.
• Institutions like the European Parliament and the Court of Justice have federal qualities.
• There's a federalizing trend in single market, trade, agriculture, and environment policies.
• However, decisions are still made by member states, not a European government.

The EU in Context: Understanding the State

• Understanding the EU requires understanding the state, the core of large political systems.
• World maps show continents divided by state frontiers.
• These frontiers mark territories under sovereign governments with independent legal systems.
• Crossing state lines requires passports and reminds individuals of their "home" state.
• A state is a legal entity defined by five features: government, population, legitimacy, territory, and sovereignty.
• These state features are not absolute. There may be disputes about borders or limitations to a state's sovereignty.
• External economic and political pressures can qualify a state's independence.
• The viability of the state system faces more scrutiny.
• States are changing due to public loyalty being undermined, economic, social and political divisions.
• Europe contains multiple nations within states.
• National minorities are seeking greater self-determination or separation.

Factors Weakening International Borders

• Building political and economic ties among states has weakened international borders
• Driven by trade, market expansion, security alliances, and borrowing money.
• Globalization poses a threat due to increased economic interdependence and technology changes.
• Rise of multinational corporations, international markets, and global culture have an impact.
• Harmonization of public policies addresses shared problems like terrorism and pollution.
• Increased mobility through emigration, political instability, tourism has reduced psychological borders.
• Globalization and immigration have sparked a reaction, increasing support for the state.

States' Inability to Meet Residents' Demands

• States have failed to meet demands for security, justice, prosperity, and human rights.
• They have engaged in wars and failed to manage economies and resources effectively.
• Even progressive states struggle with poverty and social division.
• States have not always met consumer needs for goods and services.
• Multinational corporations seeking new markets have made state boundaries more porous.
• Decline of the state is coupled with growing interstate cooperation.

International Organizations and Cooperation

• Interstate cooperation occurs through international organizations (IOs).
• IOs address shared interests.
• Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) include the UN, WTO, and NATO.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) include multinational corporations or private organizations like Amnesty International.
• The traditional role of the state is diminishing.
• Conflict in Europe led to emphasis on interstate cooperation, especially after two world wars.
• The Cold War highlighted state inability to guarantee safety without violence.
• Europe was caught between superpowers which led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1952 and the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1958.
• Decision-making in these bodies was intergovernmental.
• They provided forums for government representatives to negotiate and reach agreements.
• Membership was voluntary, revenue depended on member contributions, and lacked enforcement powers.
• Focus shifted to regional integration which involves transferring sovereignty and creating regional institutions.

Key Concepts in Political Organization

• State stands as a legal and political entity, defined by government, population, legitimacy, territory, and sovereignty.
• An international organization fosters cooperation among states/bodies via voluntary membership, communal management, and joint decisions.
• Intergovernmentalism explains how decisions are jointly made by member state representatives within an international organization.
• Nationalism believes that people sharing national identity should have their own state, free from external interference.
• Supranationalism is based on institutions above states making decisions in the shared interests of members.
• Regional integration involves transferring/pooling authority among states, backed by bodies encouraging collective action and policies.

Dynamics of the EU as an International Organization

• EU decisions are the result of negotiations among leaders and its institutions carry out the wishes of the member states.
• EU institutions have become supranational, creating a new level of authority separate from participating member states.
• EU institutions can make laws and policies binding on member states such as trade policy.
• Third parties interact with EU institutions rather than individual member state governments.
• Decisions on agriculture, environment, and competition are mainly taken at EU level, not by member states alone.
• EU institutions differ in personality; some such as the European Council are intergovernmental and the European Commission is supranational.

Dynamics of Regional Integration

• States cooperate due to different pressures and motives.
• States may be brought together by force.
• They may unite for security against a common external threat like NATO during the Cold War.
• Shared values and goals facilitate cooperation.
• Nordic states cooperate on transport, education, and passports.
• States can promote peace, improve their quality of life by working together.
• Cooperation enhances efficiency by removing barriers and avoiding duplication.
• Interstate relations in Europe shifted from compulsion to encouragement after 1945.
• Idealistic notion was to create a new European federation, avoiding a return to nationalism and conflict.
• European Union of Federalists was formed in 1946, but only agreed on creating the Council of Europe with limited cooperation goals.