European Integration History

History of European Integration

• Post-WWII: European integration began as a response to the devastation of World War II, aiming to prevent future conflicts and promote economic cooperation.
• 1950: The Schuman Declaration proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which eventually led to the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957.
• 1967: The Merger Treaty created a single commission and council, leading to the European Community (EC).
• 1992: The Maastricht Treaty established the European Union (EU) and introduced a single currency, the euro.
• 2007: The Lisbon Treaty reformed the EU's institutions and decision-making processes.

Integration Theories

• Neofunctionalism: Integration is driven by functional spillover, where cooperation in one area leads to cooperation in others.
• Intergovernmentalism: Integration is driven by national governments' self-interest and bargaining.
• Federalism: Integration aims to create a federal European state.

Pillars of the European Union

• European Commission: The executive branch, responsible for proposing legislation and overseeing policy implementation.
• Council of the European Union: The legislative branch, composed of ministers from member states.
• European Parliament: The directly elected representative body, involved in the legislative process.
• European Council: The highest-level decision-making body, composed of heads of state or government.

Benefits and Challenges of Integration

• Benefits:
  • Economic growth and stability
  • Increased competitiveness
  • Improved standard of living
  • Strengthened global influence
• Challenges:
  • Balancing national sovereignty with EU decision-making
  • Managing economic and social disparities among member states
  • Addressing migration and security concerns
  • Maintaining democratic legitimacy and accountability

History of European Integration

• Post-WWII European integration began to prevent future conflicts and promote economic cooperation.
• 1950: The Schuman Declaration proposed the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), leading to the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957.
• 1967: The Merger Treaty created a single commission and council, forming the European Community (EC).
• 1992: The Maastricht Treaty established the European Union (EU) and introduced the euro currency.
• 2007: The Lisbon Treaty reformed the EU's institutions and decision-making processes.

Integration Theories

• Neofunctionalism: Functional spillover drives integration, where cooperation in one area leads to cooperation in others.
• Intergovernmentalism: National governments' self-interest and bargaining drive integration.
• Federalism: Integration aims to create a federal European state.

Pillars of the European Union

• European Commission: The executive branch proposes legislation and oversees policy implementation.
• Council of the European Union: The legislative branch is composed of ministers from member states.
• European Parliament: The directly elected representative body is involved in the legislative process.
• European Council: The highest-level decision-making body is composed of heads of state or government.

Benefits and Challenges of Integration

• Benefits:
  • Economic growth and stability through integration
  • Increased competitiveness among member states
  • Improved standard of living
  • Strengthened global influence of the EU
• Challenges:
  • Balancing national sovereignty with EU decision-making
  • Managing economic and social disparities among member states
  • Addressing migration and security concerns
  • Maintaining democratic legitimacy and accountability within the EU

Single Market

• Creates a unified economic area with four fundamental freedoms:
  • Free movement of goods
  • Free movement of services
  • Free movement of capital
  • Free movement of people
• Key features of the single market:
  • Removal of tariffs, quotas, and other trade barriers
  • Harmonization of laws and regulations
  • Mutual recognition of standards and certifications
• Benefits of the single market:
  • Increased competition
  • Improved efficiency
  • Greater consumer choice
  • Creation of jobs and growth

Monetary Union

• Establishes a single currency (Euro) and a single monetary policy
  • Euro as the official currency for 19 EU member states
  • European Central Bank (ECB) responsible for monetary policy
• Key objective of monetary policy:
  • Inflation control
• Benefits of monetary union:
  • Reduced transaction costs
  • Increased price transparency
  • Promotes economic integration and stability

Supranationalism

• Decision-making process where EU institutions have authority over national governments
  • EU institutions (Commission, Council, Parliament) have power to make binding decisions
  • National governments may be required to implement EU policies
• Key feature of supranationalism:
  • Encourages cooperation and coordination among member states
• Benefits of supranationalism:
  • Promotes EU-wide policies and coordination
  • Enhances EU's global influence
  • Fosters a sense of shared identity and community

Enlargement Policy

• Expands EU membership to new countries
  • Accession process involves meeting EU's political, economic, and acquis communautaire criteria
  • Candidate countries must adopt EU laws and policies
  • Negotiations and accession treaties formalize the process
• Benefits of enlargement policy:
  • Promotes peace, stability, and prosperity in Europe
  • Encourages economic growth and cooperation
  • Enhances EU's global influence and competitiveness

Learn about the key events and milestones that shaped European integration, from post-WWII to the formation of the European Community.