EU Governance and the Treaty of Nice

The idea that member states are the primary actors in shaping European Union (EU) policies and outcomes. It emphasizes that states have their own interests and make decisions based on what benefits them most.

The core principle of intergovernmentalism, stating that member states, especially the larger ones, have the most influence in EU decision-making. Even when EU institutions are involved, states ultimately hold the power.

Each member state has its own set of priorities and goals, often different from others. These priorities can vary depending on the issue at hand and change over time.

Member states carefully hand over specific powers to EU institutions only when it benefits them. This is a way to control EU authority.

EU institutions like the Commission, Parliament, and the Court of Justice are given specific tasks by member states to address common challenges.

A voting system where decisions can be made even if not all members agree, allowing for more policies to be implemented.

Parliamentary powers expanded by the EU create more opportunities for vetoing decisions and setting the agenda for policies.

While all states benefit from EU integration, some have greater power and influence. Larger or more powerful states often secure advantageous outcomes through negotiations or by demanding concessions from other countries.

Member states make decisions based on a rational analysis of what benefits them the most. They are unlikely to agree to policies that harm their interests unless they receive adequate compensation.

The EU considers a range of policy preferences from diverse actors, going beyond the simple 'sovereignty vs. integration' debate.

Intergovernmentalism helps explain how treaties are negotiated and important policy agreements are reached. It also highlights the significance of each country's sovereignty and the need to be accountable to their own citizens.

EU policies are increasingly influenced by public opinion and domestic political dynamics, making integration a 'post-functionalist' process.

Intergovernmentalism underestimates the influence of EU institutions, which can impact policy decisions independently. It also struggles to fully explain the unintended consequences of integration and the increasing complexity of EU politics.

Public preferences in different EU countries can clash, leading to gridlock when trying to implement policies.

Delegating power to EU institutions can create unintended outcomes, resulting in policies vastly different from what national governments initially intended.

The EU's decision-making process, influenced by diverse preferences, public opinion, and national dynamics, is complex and dynamic.

The EU's integration and policy processes involve multiple stakeholders, potentially leading to conflicts and complications.

The Treaty of Nice, signed in 2001 and entered into force in 2003, aimed to improve the effectiveness of EU institutions and prepare for the upcoming enlargement of the Union to include Central and Eastern European countries.

The Treaty of Nice focused on making EU institutions more efficient to function effectively with a larger membership. For example, it set a limit of 700 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to accommodate the enlargement process. However, this limit was later surpassed in subsequent treaties due to further enlargements and the need for proportional representation.

The Treaty of Nice was a response to the upcoming enlargement of the EU, which aimed to incorporate Central and Eastern European countries, necessitating an adjustment of EU institutions for a larger membership.

The Treaty of Nice tackled issues left unresolved by the Amsterdam Treaty, demonstrating the EU's continuous adaptation and efforts to streamline its operations for a more effective and inclusive Union.

Member states within the EU could choose to enhance cooperation on specific issues through common institutions, even if not all members were involved, reflecting a flexible approach to integration.

The EU's founding treaty, establishing its pillars, the Euro, and European citizenship.

The first pillar focused on economic and monetary integration, creating the Euro, the single market, and supranational decision-making.

The second pillar aimed at creating a united stance on defense and foreign policy, with policy decisions requiring unanimous agreement between member states.

The third pillar focused on cooperation in areas like asylum, immigration, and police collaboration, requiring unanimous agreements and an intergovernmental approach.

The Maastricht Treaty introduced the concept of European citizenship, allowing citizens to move freely within the EU, vote in European and local elections, and run for office in any member state.

The Treaty of Amsterdam introduced significant changes to enhance the EU's efficiency and prepare for future enlargement. Key changes included strengthening the European Parliament's powers, establishing closer cooperation among member states, and revising the decision-making process.

The Treaty of Amsterdam expanded the co-decision procedure, giving the European Parliament greater influence over EU legislation and enhancing democratic control.

The Maastricht Treaty established criteria for member states to meet before adopting the Euro, including stable prices, low public debt, and convergence of interest rates.

The Treaty of Amsterdam aimed to improve the efficiency of EU institutions by clarifying their roles and responsibilities, particularly in light of upcoming enlargements.

The European Commission is responsible for proposing new laws and policies for the EU. They also ensure member states comply with EU law.

The European Parliament is directly elected by citizens across the EU and is responsible for amending and approving laws proposed by the Commission.

The Council of the European Union represents national governments and acts as the primary legislature for the EU. It often requires consensus or a qualified majority vote for decisions.

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) ensures that EU law is consistently applied and takes precedence across all member states.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is responsible for managing monetary policy for the Eurozone, ensuring price stability.

Political parties are key players in the EU, competing for power in national and EU elections. They form coalitions in the European Parliament to influence legislation.

Interest groups aim to influence EU policies and decisions by lobbying institutions. They represent diverse interests like businesses, trade unions, and NGOs.

Citizens participate in the EU's decision-making process by electing representatives, expressing opinions, and joining political parties or interest groups.

EU policies are implemented by member states, ultimately shaping societal responses and feedback. This feedback can then influence future policy adjustments.

Easton's model is a general framework for understanding any political system, while Hix's model is specifically designed for the European Union's governance.

Easton's model focuses on demands and support from citizens as inputs to the political system.

Hix's model acknowledges demands from citizens, political parties, and interest groups as key inputs to the EU's system.

Easton's model views decision-making as a single, centralized process, while Hix's model highlights the multi-level nature of EU governance, involving both supranational and national bodies.

Easton's model focuses on single outputs addressing general demands, while Hix's model emphasizes the diversity of EU policies that address various areas.

Easton's model depicts feedback as a simple cycle from society to government, while Hix's model highlights complex feedback loops involving citizens, member states, and EU institutions.

The European Parliament is divided into groups based on political ideology, not the country each member represents. These groups represent various political positions, from center-right to left-wing and independent factions.

The largest political group in the European Parliament, with 188 seats, representing a center-right political stance.

The second largest group in the European Parliament, with 136 seats, representing a social democratic and progressive ideology.

The central bank of the Eurozone, responsible for ensuring price stability, controlling the money supply, setting interest rates, and supervising the safety of banks.

The ECB's main interest rate, indicating the cost of borrowing money between banks.

The independent body that audits EU funds to ensure they are used correctly and effectively.

The independent institution that investigates complaints from EU citizens about EU institutions' administration, ensuring fairness and accountability.

The body that represents local and regional governments in the EU, providing them a voice in EU decision-making and promoting their involvement.

The body that represents various sectors of civil society, like trade unions, employers, and consumers, and advises on EU laws and policies.

A complex system in the EU designed to balance the interests of Member States with the goals of the Union. This system involves various institutions and actors contributing to decision-making.