Revision Sheet: The Future of the EU & Its Institutions PDF

**Revision Sheet: The Future of the EU & Its Institutions** **1. The Future of the EU** **Key Challenges:** 1. **Global Role**: - Strengthen the EU\'s influence in global trade, security, and climate leadership. - Reduce dependency on external powers like the U.S. and China...

**Revision Sheet: The Future of the EU & Its Institutions** **1. The Future of the EU** **Key Challenges:** 1. **Global Role**: - Strengthen the EU\'s influence in global trade, security, and climate leadership. - Reduce dependency on external powers like the U.S. and China. 2. **Enlargement**: - Potential new member states (e.g., Ukraine, Western Balkans). - Debate between expanding membership and pursuing deeper integration of current members. 3. **Economy**: - Support the green and digital transitions (e.g., digital economy, green energy). - Boost economic resilience against global shocks. 4. **Rule of Law**: - Address democratic backsliding in certain member states (e.g., Hungary, Poland). - Strengthen enforcement of EU values. 5. **Climate Action**: - Achieve climate neutrality by 2050. - Implement the European Green Deal to reduce carbon emissions and promote green technologies. 6. **Migration**: - Develop unified policies for migration and asylum. - Secure EU borders while ensuring humane treatment of migrants. 7. **Technology**: - Lead in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and tech regulation. - Balance innovation with privacy and ethical concerns. **Future Scenarios for the EU**: 1. **More Integration**: - Move towards a more federal EU structure with centralized decision-making. 2. **Fragmentation**: - Rise of nationalism and populism leading to weaker EU unity and more national sovereignty. 3. **Status Quo**: - Adapt to current challenges within existing EU structures without major institutional changes. **2. The Institutions of the EU** 1. **European Commission** - Proposes legislation, implements policies, enforces EU rules, and manages the EU budget. 2. **European Parliament (EP)** - Represents EU citizens, passes laws in collaboration with the Council, and approves the EU budget. 3. **European Council** - Sets the political direction of the EU. Composed of heads of state/government and the EU President. 4. **Council of the European Union** - Composed of ministers from each EU member state. Co-legislates with the European Parliament. 5. **Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU)** - Ensures consistent application of EU law across all member states. 6. **European Central Bank (ECB)** - Manages the euro currency, ensures price stability, and promotes economic growth in the eurozone. 7. **Other Bodies** - **European External Action Service (EEAS)**: Handles EU foreign policy and diplomatic relations. - **European Investment Bank (EIB)**: Finances projects that contribute to EU objectives. **3. The Future of EU Institutions** **Key Reforms Needed:** 1. **Decision-Making**: - Shift from unanimity to majority voting in areas like foreign policy to increase efficiency. 2. **Democracy**: - Increase the powers of the European Parliament. - Improve transparency in decision-making processes within the EU institutions. 3. **Rule of Law**: - Strengthen enforcement of EU values, especially regarding the rule of law in member states. 4. **Crisis Response**: - Ensure faster and more coordinated responses to crises like pandemics and migration influxes. 5. **Economic Policy**: - Allow more flexibility in EU fiscal rules to support investment and economic growth. 6. **Foreign Policy**: - Build a unified and effective EU foreign policy to enhance its global presence and impact. **Future Scenarios for EU Institutions**: 1. **Stronger EU Institutions**: - Greater centralization of power in EU bodies, enhancing their role in decision-making. 2. **Weaker Institutions**: - Power shifts back to individual member states, diminishing the EU\'s influence. 3. **Flexible Integration**: - Some countries may deepen integration, while others remain at a more superficial level of cooperation. **Summary:** The European Union faces numerous challenges in areas like climate change, migration, and economic resilience. The future of the EU will depend on its ability to reform its institutions to better address these challenges, while balancing deeper integration with national sovereignty. Key reforms are needed in decision-making, rule of law enforcement, and economic policy. The future scenarios for both the EU and its institutions include more integration, potential fragmentation, or maintaining the status quo. The EU must adapt to remain relevant and unified in a rapidly changing world.