Early European Integration Plans and Treaties

Early European Integration Plans

• Pan-Europa Plan (1923): Coudenhove-Kalergi's vision for a united Europe focused on economic integration, with little emphasis on democracy. It sought to project European influence in Asia.
• Briand Plan (1930): Proposed a European federal state but failed due to the economic crises and escalating nationalism.
• Nazi Funk Plan (1940): Aimed at economic domination under Nazi control, rejecting democratic principles.
• Schuman Declaration (1950): Proposed the ECSC as a first step towards European integration, advocating a functionalist approach.

Founding Treaties and Institutions

• European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC, 1951): Aimed to prevent Franco-German conflict by pooling coal and steel resources under a supranational body. Its institutions included a High Authority, Council of Ministers, Common Assembly, and Court of Justice.
• Treaty of Rome (1957): Established the European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom, targeting a customs union and common market.
• European Defence Community (EDC, 1954): A plan for a united European army, rejected by France.
• Luxembourg Compromise (1966): A resolution to the 'Empty Chair Crisis', emphasizing unanimous agreement in EU decision-making.

Further Integration and Enlargement

• Single European Act (SEA, 1986-87): Introduced Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) and aimed to complete the single market.
• Maastricht Treaty (1991): Established the European Union (EU), a three-pillar structure (economic, foreign, justice), and planned for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
• Copenhagen Criteria (1993): Set standards for EU membership, focusing on democratic institutions, functioning market economies, and adherence to EU obligations.
• Treaty of Amsterdam (1997): Prepared the EU for enlargement and strengthened its foreign policy role.
• Treaty of Nice (2001): Reformed EU institutions to accommodate future enlargements and expanded Qualified Majority Voting.
• Treaty of Lisbon (2009): Simplified EU governance, established a permanent President of the European Council, and expanded EP powers; made fundamental rights legally binding across the EU.
• Brexit Referendum (2016): The UK voted to leave the EU.

Geopolitical Factors and Crises

• Marshall Plan (1948): Supported European integration by facilitating economic recovery and countering communist influence.
• Eurozone Crisis (2009): Stemming from sovereign debt issues and the global financial crisis, exposing weaknesses in the EMU's structure.
• Schengen Agreement (1985): Created a border-free zone for people movement.
• Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989): Spurred EU engagement in Eastern Europe's democratisation and economic rebuilding.
• Southern Enlargement (1980s-2000s): Integrated Spain, Portugal, and Greece, strengthening core democratic values within the EU.

Theoretical Frameworks

• Functionalism: Focuses on technical and economic integration to build trust, bypassing initial political issues.
• Neofunctionalism: Emphasizes both political and economic aspects, including spillover effects and supranational institutions.
• Intergovernmentalism: Highlights negotiations between member states as the primary driver of integration.
• Liberal Intergovernmentalism: A variant blending state-centric negotiations with economic interests.
• Federalism: Proposes a strong central EU authority, akin to a federal state.
• Constructivism: Emphasizes the role of shared ideas, identities, and norms in shaping EU policies.
• Realism: Views integration as a strategic balance of power, serving national interests.
• Embedded Liberalism: Combines free markets with social protection.

Other Key Developments

• Delors Report (1989): Outlined a plan for EMU, outlining economic convergence and establishing the euro.
• European Monetary System (EMS, 1979): Provided exchange rate stability and fostered monetary cooperation.
• Delors Package (1988): Provided financial support for structural reforms and the drive towards a unified market.
• European Payment Union (EPU, 1950-1958): Facilitated post-WWII trade and payments.
• General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT): Reduced trade barriers and fostered global commerce.
• Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Supported agriculture across the EU.
• European Economic Area (EEA, 1992): Allowed non-EU countries to participate in the EU's internal market.
• Various treaties (e.g., Paris, Hague, etc.): Key agreements reflecting the evolution of European integration.

Institutions and Processes

• Council of Europe: Promotes democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
• Qualified Majority Voting (QMV): Introduced to improve EU decision-making efficiency.
• European Commission: Plays a crucial role in supranational governance within neofunctionalism.
• European Parliament: Became increasingly influential with Treaty of Lisbon.
• Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU): Interprets and applies EU law, upholding supremacy over national law.

Explore the early plans for European integration including the Pan-Europa Plan, Briand Plan, and Schuman Declaration. This quiz covers the foundational treaties and institutions such as the ECSC and Treaty of Rome that shaped modern Europe. Test your knowledge on how these efforts aimed to promote cooperation and prevent conflicts.