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.