EU History and Integration: Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from lecture notes on EU history and integration.

European Union (EU)

A political and economic union of European states governed by shared institutions (e.g., European Commission, European Parliament, Council) aiming to deepen integration after Maastricht.

European Commission (the College)

Executive body of the EU, collectively known as the College of Commissioners; proposes legislation and implements EU policy.

European Parliament

Legislature that evolved from a Consultative Assembly to an elected body; gained co-decision and assent powers in EU lawmaking.

Maastricht Treaty (1993)

Treaty that created the European Union, introduced the euro, and established opt-outs and differentiated integration (multi-speed Europe).

Opt-outs

Provisions allowing member states to refrain from certain EU obligations (e.g., UK opting out of Schengen).

Multi-speed Europe / Europe a la carte / Differentiated integration

The idea that member states integrate at different speeds or in different policy areas.

Convergence criteria

Economic criteria (e.g., price stability, debt/deficit limits, exchange-rate stability) to join the euro area.

European Monetary Union (EMU) / Euro

Common currency and monetary policy framework; coordination via the ECB; member-state participation as chosen.

Neofunctionalism (Haas)

Theory that integration arises from interdependence and spillovers, with the Commission driving push for integration.

Intergovernmentalism

Theory that national governments control the pace and scope of integration, driven by national interests.

Widening

Expansion of the EU through new member states.

Deepening

Increasing the depth and range of integration within existing members.

Laeken Declaration (2001)

Declaration that launched a constitutional convention to rethink EU treaty-making and reform institutions.

Constitutional Convention

Process (2001–2004) to draft a European Constitution; aimed at open treaty-making and reforming institutions.

European Constitution (draft, 2004)

Draft treaty to redefine the EU and include a Charter of Fundamental Rights; rejected in France and the Netherlands; later folded into Lisbon.

Lisbon Treaty (2007/2009)

Treaty that reformed EU institutions and law; entered into force 2009; integrated constitutional ideas through reforms and rights provisions.

Treaty of Amsterdam (1998)

Reforms; UK signed; UK opt-out on Schengen.

Treaty of Nice (2000)

Institutional reforms to prepare for enlargement; issues over QMV, Commissioners, EP seats; mixed public support.

Big Bang enlargement (2004)

Enlargement bringing 10 new member states at once; followed by 2007 additions (2) and 2013 (1).

Schengen

Area without internal border checks; note: the UK had opt-out from Schengen.

Qualified Majority Voting (QMV)

Voting mechanism allowing decisions with broad support without full unanimity; used in many EU decisions.

European Central Bank (ECB) Board

Governing body of the ECB; oversees euro-area monetary policy with influence from member states.

Path dependency

Idea that historical choices constrain current policy options and shape governance trajectories.

Ever closer union

A guiding aim of deeper EU integration, debated in practice regarding feasibility and sovereignty.