EU And Recent Global Challenges PDF

Textbook Notes: The EU and Recent Global Challenges The Russian Invasion of Ukraine Date of Invasion: February 24, 2022 Economic Challenges: ○ Rising energy costs leading to higher inflation. ○ Questions about the EU's role as a global actor in a volatile international contex...

Textbook Notes: The EU and Recent Global Challenges The Russian Invasion of Ukraine Date of Invasion: February 24, 2022 Economic Challenges: ○ Rising energy costs leading to higher inflation. ○ Questions about the EU's role as a global actor in a volatile international context. The EU's Historical Context and Achievements Nobel Peace Prize (2012): ○ Awarded for contributions to peace, democracy, and human rights in Europe. ○ Helped transform Europe from a continent of war to peace since the 1950s. Collaboration Among Member States: ○ Established common institutions to make binding decisions and create common policies. Founding Members: ○ Initially six countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. Expansion and Integration of the EU Widening: ○ Refers to the addition of more member states. ○ Number of member states reached 28 in 2013 but reduced to 27 in 2020 (after UK withdrawal). Deepening: ○ Increasing powers shifted from member states to the EU. ○ EU influences various policy-making areas (economic policy and trade more than social policy and defense). Economic Integration and Prosperity Single Market: ○ Population: Approximately 450 million. ○ Most internal economic barriers abolished. ○ Benefits for Europeans: No customs duties on goods/services from other member states. Right to work in another member state without a work permit. Impact on Peace: ○ Facilitated peaceful reunification of Europe post-Cold War. ○ Supported post-communist states in transitioning to democracies. Challenges Facing the EU Global Financial Crisis (2008): ○ Resulted in banking failures, sovereign debt crises, and high unemployment rates in some member states. Refugee Crisis (2015): ○ Approximately 1.5 million refugees from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia sought asylum. ○ EU struggled to coordinate a response. Ongoing Ukrainian Conflict: ○ Raised questions about EU's ability to confront assertive powers like Russia. ○ Resulted in a refugee crisis, with nearly 6.5 million refugees reported by August 2022. Canada’s Relationship with the EU Historical Focus: ○ Initial relationships centered on individual EU member states (notably France and UK) and NATO. 1976 Framework Agreement: ○ First international agreement between the EU and another industrialized state. CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement): ○ Signed in October 2016, still awaiting full ratification requiring approval from all member state parliaments. Strategic Partner: ○ Canada designated as one of 10 strategic partners of the EU. Themes in EU Policy and Integration 1. EU as a Policy-Maker: ○ Initial socioeconomic model aimed for a mixed system regulated for social inclusion. ○ Shift towards market-oriented policies with ongoing debates on regulatory balance. 2. EU Institutions: ○ EU has become more powerful than other international organizations, resembling a federal state in its legislative output. ○ Unique integration depth and scope compared to other global regions. 3. Politics of European Integration: ○ Increasingly contested legitimacy in the past 30 years. ○ Tensions between economic integration and national identity. ○ Ongoing calls for maintaining decision-making at the state level due to uneven distribution of integration costs and benefits.  ○ Increased desire for citizen access to the democratic process amidst deepening integration. Textbook Notes: The EU as a Peace Project: One Overarching Insight and Three Themes of Debate I. Historical Context of the EU Founding States: Created in the early 1950s by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. Background: ○ Many founding countries, especially France and Germany, were former enemies in World War II and previous conflicts. ○ Aim: Establish collaboration to prevent future wars. Initial Integration: ○ The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was formed to regulate coal and steel production, crucial for military capabilities. II. Strategy for Peace Schuman Declaration (1950): Emphasized unity through economic cooperation creating solidarity to make war "unthinkable" and "materially impossible." Evolution: Successfully diminished historical conflicts, leading to deeper European integration. Widening of the EU: ○ Began in the 1970s with UK, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Spain, and Portugal joining. ○ Accelerated in the 1990s post-Cold War with the fall of the Berlin Wall: Neutral countries admitted in 1995: Austria, Finland, Sweden. Former Soviet bloc countries joined between 2004 and 2007. III. Challenges Arising from Widening External Relations: Strained relations with Russia, particularly challenging since it borders the EU. Internal Policies: Emerging member states, like Hungary and Poland, have different views on democracy and rule of law. Theme 1: Economic Cooperation in a Mixed Economy Mixed Economy: EU policies reflect a mixed economy; balancing state control and free market forces.  Single Market: ○ Defined by four freedoms: free movement of goods, services, labor, and capital. ○ Achieved through: Negative Integration: Removal of barriers (customs duties, discriminatory employment rules). Positive Integration: Creation of common policies to regulate economic interactions and address negative side effects. Mutual Recognition: Member states respect each other’s regulatory systems, aiding quicker economic integration. EU Budget: ○ Small budget (about 1% of total EU economy), limited redistributive policies. ○ Exceptions: Common Agricultural Policy and Regional Cohesion Policy assist economically disadvantaged groups. Regulatory Capacity: EU sets global standards in areas like health, safety, and environmental protection. Theme 2: More than an International Organization, Less than a State Legal Status: EU has legal personality under international law, based on founding treaties. Scope of Powers: Extends to numerous areas compared to typical international organizations. Lawmaking: ○ Extensive EU-level lawmaking keeps national parliaments busy. ○ Collective legislation known as the "acquis communautaire." Legal Quality: ○ EU law has direct effect, creating rights for citizens, and is supreme over national law. Decision-Making Process: ○ Combines intergovernmental elements with supranational features. ○ European Parliament (EP): Directly elected body, equals the Council of the EU in legislative power. ○ European Commission: Main executive body that initiates legislation and oversees enforcement. Limitations: ○ Lacks certain powers of statehood, such as tax revenue and direct citizen interaction. ○ Dependent on member states for enforcement and funding. ○ Citizens' identity and belonging to the EU remain weak. Theme 3: Political Debate and Contestation  Output Legitimacy: EU’s legitimacy hinges on its economic performance and ability to enhance citizens' well-being. Globalization Responses: Successfully regulated against rapid globalization, particularly in: ○ Climate change ○ Sustainability ○ Product standards ○ Competition policy (anti-monopoly) Challenges: ○ Underperformance in promoting inclusive economic growth, especially for lower-skilled workers. ○ Struggles in response to refugee influxes. Historical Challenges: ○ Past crises (e.g., Empty Chair Crisis in the 1960s, eurosclerosis in the 1970s and 1980s) fueled skepticism about integration. Brexit (2016): ○ Referendum reflected citizens’ perceptions of the EU; resulted in UK leaving by January 2020. Textbook Notes: The European Union: A Complex Construct Overview of the European Union Complex Construct: The EU is the result of over seven decades of collaboration among European states. Historical Context: Established post-World War II to prevent wars and foster cooperation. Challenges: ○ Diverse historical particularities of European states made integration difficult. ○ Ongoing debates about the EU's final constitutional structure, characterized by two main views: European Federation: Some advocate for a fully integrated European state. Intergovernmental Cooperation: Others favor gradual integration through cooperation of member state governments. European Integration: A Historical Overview The First Moves: ECSC, EEC, and Euratom Post-War Context: The legacy of the two World Wars, especially the Franco-German rivalry, necessitated new solutions for peace.  Intellectual Roots: Early ideas of a federal Europe emerged as a solution to avoid future conflicts. Hague Conference (1948): Attempt to establish a federalist agenda but had limited success; resulted in the formation of the Council of Europe. Jean Monnet's Proposal: ○ Focused on economic cooperation in coal and steel. ○ Laid the groundwork for future European integration via the Schuman Plan announced on May 9, 1950 (later celebrated as Europe Day). The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Formation: Established by the 1951 Treaty of Paris, it aimed to control coal and steel production among member states to prevent war. Founding Members: France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Key Institutions: ○ High Authority: Independent authority (future European Commission) overseeing coal and steel production. ○ Council of Ministers: Representing national governments; served to scrutinize decisions made by the High Authority. ○ Common Assembly: Predecessor to the European Parliament; represented member states and could dismiss the High Authority. ○ Court of Justice: Oversaw the application of ECSC law. Duration: Treaty was valid for 50 years, ceasing in 2002 when functions transferred to the European Economic Community (EEC). The European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom Treaties of Rome (1957): Established the EEC and Euratom, promoting a common market and cooperation in atomic energy. Impact: Created common policies, including the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Commercial Policy. The 1960s: A Decade of Mixed Results French Influence: Charles de Gaulle's push for French agricultural interests significantly impacted EEC negotiations. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Launched in 1962 to support EEC agricultural products through subsidies. Empty Chair Crisis (1965): ○ Triggered by France’s withdrawal from EEC meetings over concerns about agricultural interests being undermined by majority voting.  ○ Resolved in January 1966 with the “Luxembourg Compromise,” allowing veto rights for vital national interests. The 1970s: Economic and Financial Challenges Hague Summit (1969): Set goals for EEC expansion and Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). New Membership (1973): UK, Ireland, and Denmark joined the EEC. Economic Difficulties: Oil crisis led to recession; focus shifted to stabilizing national currencies. European Monetary System (1979): Established to manage currency fluctuations. The 1980s and 1990s: Relaunching Integration Single European Act (1986): Reinforced supranational institutions and introduced qualified majority voting (QMV) to facilitate decision-making. Objectives: ○ Complete the common market by 1992 (Internal Market). ○ Initiate plans for Economic and Monetary Union, culminating in euro adoption. Maastricht Treaty (1992): Expanded EU powers and established three pillars (Economic, Common Foreign and Security Policy, Justice and Home Affairs). The EU at the Beginning of the New Century Post-Communism: Fall of communism allowed for the reunification of Europe; many former Eastern bloc countries sought EU membership. Treaty of Nice (2001): Addressed the enlargement of the EU and powers of supranational institutions. The EU after 2010: Coping with Crises (Continued) Refugee Crisis (2015-2016): ○ Increased Influx: Approximately 1.5 million refugees and migrants entered the EU, primarily from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, seeking safety from conflict and persecution. ○ Internal Challenges: EU member states struggled to find a coordinated response to the crisis, showcasing the limits of supranationalism. ○ Proposal for Redistribution: The European Commission proposed a plan to redistribute asylum seekers among member states based on mandatory quotas; however, it faced significant opposition from several member states and was never implemented. ○ Comparison with Ukrainian Refugee Crisis (2022): The EU’s response to Ukrainian refugees, which included expedited processing and temporary  protection status, contrasted sharply with the earlier challenges faced during the 2015 crisis. This demonstrated improved coordination within the EU in response to humanitarian crises. Brexit Crisis: ○ UK Referendum (June 23, 2016): A narrow majority voted in favor of leaving the EU, resulting in significant political and economic implications. ○ Negotiations: The withdrawal negotiations between the EU and the UK were contentious, highlighting challenges in handling a member state’s exit. ○ Final Agreement: An agreement was reached in December 2020, marking the first time a member state left the EU, laying the groundwork for future relations. Comparison with Canada Political Organization Differences: ○ Canada is a federal state, while the EU is a unique construct that is neither fully a federal state nor merely an international organization. Process of Construction: ○ Both the EU and Canada were built on practical considerations rather than purely political ideologies. ○ Cooperation was key, particularly in the economic domain (e.g., the ECSC for the EU and inter-colonial cooperation for Canada). Territorial Expansion: ○ Both entities started with limited membership and expanded over time, driven by various factors, including economic benefits and external pressures. High-Level Negotiations: ○ The EU holds European Council meetings, while Canada has federal–provincial meetings, both aimed at addressing current issues and fostering cooperation among participant states. Textbook Notes: The Political System of the European Union I. Overview of the EU's Political System Unique Structure: Designed to represent both the specific interests of member states and the common interests of all Europeans. Core Characteristics: ○ Consensus Orientation: Requires involvement of multiple institutions and often more than simple majorities to ensure no major interests are overridden. ○ Multilevel Structure: Incorporates both member states and EU-level institutions in decision-making, ensuring collaboration rather than conflict. II. Executive Institutions European Council: ○ Provides political leadership and consists of heads of state or government. ○ Established regular meetings starting in 1974; became a formal institution with the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007. ○ Roles: 1. Defines the EU's political direction and priorities. 2. Deals with complex issues that require high-level intergovernmental cooperation. 3. Nominates candidates for key leadership positions in the EU (e.g., President of the European Commission). ○ Key Roles: 1. Set the overall direction and political priorities of the EU. 2. Address complex or sensitive issues unresolved at lower intergovernmental levels. 3. Define guidelines for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. 4. Appoint high-profile EU roles (e.g., European Commission). European Commission: ○ Manages daily operations of the EU; equivalent to a cabinet in a nation-state. ○ Originated from the ECSC High Authority in 1952; current form established in the Merger Treaty of 1965. ○ Consists of one commissioner from each member state, tasked with promoting EU interests independently. ○ Key Roles: 1. Propose legislation to the European Parliament (EP) and Council of the EU. 2. Manage EU policies and the budget. 3. Monitor implementation of EU law. 4. Represent the EU internationally and negotiate agreements. III. Legislative Institutions Council of the EU (Council of Ministers): ○ Intergovernmental institution that consists of representatives from member states at the ministerial level. ○ Exercises legislative and budgetary functions jointly with the EP. ○ Key Functions: 1. Approves and passes EU laws. 2. Coordinates economic and social policies of member states. 3. Concludes international agreements. European Parliament (EP):  ○ Supranational legislative institution; evolved from the Common Assembly of the ECSC. ○ Composed of 705 Members of Parliament (MEPs), elected every five years. ○ Key Functions: 1. Pass laws jointly with the Council of the EU. 2. Adopt the EU budget. 3. Scrutinize executive institutions. 4. Appoint and dismiss the Commission. IV. Intergovernmental and Supranational Distinction Intergovernmental Institutions: ○ Include the European Council and the Council of the EU, where member states' representatives discuss and negotiate. Supranational Institutions: ○ Include the European Commission and the EP, which represent the EU as a whole and can make decisions independently of member states. V. Decision-Making Processes Voting Mechanisms: ○ Decisions are often made by consensus; however, some require a simple majority or qualified majority voting (QMV). ○ QMV involves at least 55% of members representing at least 65% of the EU population. Council Configurations: ○ Vary based on ministerial portfolios and responsibilities. ○ Legislative proposals are prepared by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER), which meets in two configurations. VI. Legislative Process in the European Parliament Ordinary Legislative Procedure (OLP): ○ Legislative proposals are sent to both the Council and the EP, requiring agreement on a single text to become law. ○ Involves a series of readings and often resolves matters in trilogues to find early compromises. Empowerment of the EP: ○ Over time, EP's role has expanded significantly, allowing for amendments and veto powers over certain legislation. ○