EU Military Competence and Federalism Overview

The European Union (EU) has responded to the Russia-Ukraine war with economic sanctions and coordination, but lacks a strong military response. This highlights the EU's primarily economic function and its limited defense capabilities compared to NATO.

The Russia-Ukraine war has prompted a strong reaction from the EU, even in areas where it doesn't have primary authority. This emphasizes the EU's willingness to take action in moments of crisis, even beyond its core competencies.

The EU has historically struggled to establish a unified defense force, resulting in reliance on NATO for military defense. This reflects ongoing challenges in coordinating defense efforts among EU member states.

The EU's primary focus on economic integration has shaped its response to international crises. The EU's efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have been mainly focused on economic sanctions and coordination.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has revealed fundamental weaknesses in the EU's security architecture, emphasizing the need for stronger military capabilities and coordinated response mechanisms. This situation highlights the EU's strategic vulnerabilities and underscores the urgent need for reform.

The widening of the European Union by admitting new member states.

The process of making the European Union stronger and more cohesive, often involving greater integration and cooperation among member states.

The increase in diversity and differences among member states, often resulting from enlargement.

A treaty signed in 2001 aimed at reforming the European Union institutions, particularly in preparation for future enlargements. It included some progress towards qualified majority voting but was criticized for being insufficient.

A convention initiated in 2001 to address fundamental questions about the future of the European Union, including legitimacy, power allocation, democracy, and human rights. It aimed to consolidate and clarify the EU's core principles.

A significant wave of new members joining the European Union in 2004, including countries from Central and Eastern Europe.

The challenge of balancing expansion with maintaining unity and effectiveness within the European Union, especially as new members bring diverse perspectives and needs.

The process of transferring more power and decision-making authority to the European Parliament.

The collection of laws and regulations that make up the legal framework of the European Union.

The most important legal documents of the EU, establishing its fundamental principles and institutions.

EU laws that are directly applicable in all member states.

EU laws that need to be implemented by each member state according to its own legal system.

EU laws that are binding on specific individuals or entities.

The system of voting in the Council of the European Union where a majority of member states, weighted by their population, need to vote in favor of a proposition.

The Court of Justice of the European Union, responsible for interpreting EU law and ensuring its uniform application across member states.

The period of financial instability in the Eurozone, starting in 2009/10, that led to significant economic and political reforms within the EU.

A theory with general logic and applicability, designed to be tested with empirical evidence.

A theory that aims for broad explanatory power with a minimal set of assumptions or principles.

A theory tailored to a specific case or phenomenon.

The balance between explaining a lot with a few key ideas and explaining a specific case with more detail.

The key question driving theories of European integration – why would sovereign states choose to integrate?

Different theoretical approaches that offer distinct interpretations of European integration.

A theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of rational self-interest in explaining state behavior.

A theoretical perspective that highlights the importance of ideas, identities, and social norms in shaping state behavior.

A political system where individuals, not states, are the primary units, creating a central, supranational government over member states.

A union of states with limited central authority, often with looser cooperation compared to federalism.

A principle in the EU that emphasizes decision-making at the lowest possible level of government, with higher levels intervening only when necessary.

The idea that the EU should be united, but with respect for its diverse members and cultures.

A key aspect of federalism, where individuals share a common identity and sense of belonging within a political system.

A moment in history where a new constitution is adopted, signifying a major shift in a country's political system.

The theory of federalism applied to the EU, highlighting the desired goal of a united Europe with a strong central government.

The idea that the EU is a work in progress, moving towards a more integrated and unified system.

European Parliament elections are influenced by national political dynamics, making them less about European issues and more about national preferences.

The European Parliament has a shared responsibility with the Council in creating EU laws. This is similar to a two-chamber system, where each body has equal power.

The European Parliament has the power to control and oversee the European Commission (COM). This includes scrutinizing the Commission's work and holding them accountable.

The European Parliament has a significant role in shaping the EU budget. This includes deciding how much money is allocated to different areas and approving the annual budget.

The European Parliament often opposes the Council, which represents member states, while the Parliament represents the people. This often puts the Parliament and the Commission in alliance against the Council.

The European Parliament is becoming more diverse and fragmented, leading to increased challenges in finding compromises and building coalitions.

The pro-EU camp has grown weaker, as evidenced by the fragmentation of political groups and the decline in support for pro-EU parties.

The fragmentation of political groups in the European Parliament offers potential for various coalitions to emerge, depending on the policy area.

EU integration, driven by supranational institutions, creates new demands for centralized rules and capabilities, leading to a self-reinforcing process.

The European Council brings together heads of state and government for big-picture decisions. The Council of the EU gathers national ministers to make specific laws. Both aim to represent national interests within a partly supranational framework.

The core committee in the Council of the EU, composed of permanent representatives from each member state, who prepare decisions before ministerial meetings.

A process where each EU member state rotates the Presidency of the Council of the EU for a six-month period. During this time, they manage meeting schedules, set priorities, and help negotiate between members.

The General Secretariat Council (GSC) employs around 3,000 individuals to provide logistical, legal, and administrative support for the Council of the EU.

The EU's growth in terms of member states creates complexities for negotiations and makes decision-making more expensive.

Each step forward in the EU integration process contributes to a need for more centralized power, thus reinforcing the trend towards greater supranationalism. This contrasts with the belief that integration remains under the control of individual states.

States are the key actors in the integration process, using it to preserve their sovereignty and enhance their security and autonomy. Integration is primarily focused on economic areas, excluding security and foreign policy. International organizations remain weak and serve as tools for state interests.

Integration reflects both internal economic interests and a demand for international cooperation. International institutions stabilize cooperation, addressing issues like transaction costs, enforcement, and distribution of benefits. States may cede some authority to strengthen collective commitments but control remains intergovernmental.

States are rational actors who cooperate to maximize their well-being in a system characterized by anarchy and interdependence. International cooperation is facilitated by institutions that reduce transaction costs and monitor compliance with agreements.

A state's preferences regarding integration are shaped by the effects of economic policies, such as liberalization of trade versus protectionism. Powerful lobbying groups, such as export sectors, influence national preferences.

This theory explains the dynamics of negotiations and agreements, where a state's bargaining power is influenced by:

International organizations (clubs) tend to expand as long as the benefits for new members outweigh the costs of congestion.

In RI, national preferences are formed based on national sovereignty and security considerations. In LI, preferences are driven by internal economic interests and pressure from social groups and lobbies.

The EU's integration process is marked by tough intergovernmental negotiations, where states with greater economic or political power can dictate terms.

A crucial EU institution responsible for proposing and implementing EU policies, acting like a 'ministry' with specialized departments.

A step-by-step process that defines how EU policies are made, from identifying issues to implementing decisions.

A key part of the policy cycle where the EU's priorities are set and problems are identified.

The process where EU institutions work together to draft and refine policies before they become laws.

The stage where EU institutions formally make decisions on policies, often through voting or consensus.

It involves putting the agreed upon policies into practice, often with the help of EU agencies and member states.

This stage involves evaluating the effectiveness of the implemented policy and identifying areas for improvement.

The European Commission plays a crucial role in the EU's decision-making process, holding the power to propose regulations, and guide policies.

The Treaty of Paris established the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) in 1951. This groundbreaking treaty aimed to promote cooperation and economic integration among European countries.

The EU's influence and actions have grown significantly, encompassing areas like rebuilding Eastern Europe, showcasing a wider scope compared to its initial focus on trade.

The European Commission, once a simple secretariat, has become a key player in shaping policy and setting the EU's agenda. This reflects a shift in its role and power.

The term 'Europe' has increasingly come to represent the European Union. As the EU's power and influence grew, it became synonymous with European identity, similar to how 'America' represents the US.

The principle that European Union (EU) laws are directly applicable and enforceable in national courts, meaning individuals can directly invoke EU law even when it is supposed to be implemented by national governments.

The idea that EU law overrides conflicting national laws, meaning EU law takes precedence when national laws conflict with EU rules.

The ability of the EU to exercise powers that are not explicitly mentioned in the treaties, as long as they are essential for achieving the EU's objectives.

The EU's system of decision-making is dominated by national governments, with limited involvement by the EU Parliament and national parliaments.

EU laws become binding without the ability for national parliaments to review or change them, emphasizing the strength of EU law over national legislatures.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) acquired significant political power, exceeding the initial intentions of member states, leading to reluctance in granting further judicial authority to the Court.

The EU's founding period shaped its legal and political framework, combining binding legal rules with political control largely held by member states.

Member states saw the strengthening of the EU as beneficial for their governments as well, giving them more influence as part of a larger entity.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has evolved from a body with limited jurisdiction into a powerful institution capable of influencing national policies through its judgments.

The CJEU's ability to interpret EU law has led to the ability of individuals to challenge national laws that conflict with EU law, raising concerns about national sovereignty.

Member states have shown reluctance to reform the EU legal system, as the CJEU has exceeded the limited functional interests they originally envisioned.

Member states are hesitant to cede further power to the CJEU due to concerns about national sovereignty, as demonstrated in negotiations for treaties like the Treaty of Amsterdam.

The CJEU's ability to exert political influence through legal means raises questions about its sustainability in other international contexts.

The CJEU's evolving role highlights the complex interplay between law and politics in the EU, posing challenges for future European integration.

The EU's response to crises like the euro crisis, migration, Brexit, Covid-19, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has exposed institutional and political weaknesses.