ETVT the EU has been a success for its member states

T1 – Economic Success, It has not

Unsuccessful as supranational structure limits ability of members to protect own economies. Subject to EU-wide policies and trade agreements that may not align with individual priorities. Pooling auth over trade/competition leads to sacrifice of econ sov, unable to control tariffs, subsidies, other protections.

Treaty of Rome prevents from determining own future, further with Treaty of Lisbon in regard to economy with supranational ECB.

EU Competition law prohibits state aid to industries needing support e.g. steel, agriculture without prior approval from European Commission.
Can hurt struggling sectors e.g. Italy (struggles with automotive/steel), unable to aid competitiveness and prevent job losses.

Disproportionately impacts poorer states, econ benefits of EU unevenly distributed.
E.g. Germany, Netherlands benefit from single market, exports over 50% of goods to other EU members.
Compared to less affluent PIIGS who struggle to compete e.g. 2022 Greece/Spain unemployment ~13%, c. EU average 6%. Persistent econ challenges faced by Southern European members in single market.

Difference reflected in 2008 crash, Greece faced stringent austerity measures from IMF compared to Germany, emerged relatively unscathed.

T1 – Economic Success, it has

Sheer size of single market and customs union allows for favourable trade deals, overall benefit to members.

Represents over 15% global GDP, enables EU to support growth across members. Unified negotiations collectively secures trade deals impossible for smaller members individually. Due to being collectively largest trading partner for 80 countries, gives greater leverage.

E.g. EU-Canada CETA eliminates tariffs on 98% of goods. EU-South Korea FTA increased exports by 76%. Bolsters GDP and support jobs (36M jobs dependent on exports to non-EU).

Portugal, Czechia rely on export markets, critical econ opportunities provided shows success of EU single market for variety of members.

Customs union eliminates internal tariffs, seamless access in EU for market of over 450M consumers, strengthening member states.
Shown by Poland, GDP in 2004 (time of accession) /2024 €5,000/ €20,000. Attributed to access to single market and customs union, aided growth of manufacturing/industrial sectors helping Poland become one of fastest growing economies.

T1 – Economic Success, overall

While benefits to member states certainly uneven, esp consequential during crisis, vast majority of members seen economic improvement as a result of membership both internally and externally, infinitely better for most than individually.

T2 – Geopolitical Influence, it has not

EU unable to compete in regards to security with China/US, member states left at disadvantage. Lacks centralised military strength  to protect itself, project influence outside borders. Leads to dependency on NATO and US to have global influence, respond to global crisis.
E.g. 1990 Bosnia, EU unable to mobilise unified response to prevent ethnic violence. Relied on NATO ‘Deliberate Force’ intervention heavily led by US to stabilise region.

Also extends to more current examples e.g. 2022 Russo-Ukraine war, EU limited to supporting role with sanctions but kept out of peace talks, Ukraine dependent on US to offer military guarantees.

EU ability to be successful military alliance hindered by internal divisions over foreign policy, prevents strong unified stance thus weakening geopolitical impact.
E.g. US war on terror (UK for, Germany/France against), Global alignment (France/Germany balanced stance, Eastern Europe closer to US for fear of Russia). Indecision and lack of hard power has led to member states being overlooked in key strategic decisions.

T2 – Geopolitical Influence, it has

Collective influence enhances geopolitical presence of EU that benefits all states.

Collectively account for €80B collective aid (50% globally), allocated to support EconDev, PovRed and Gov Reforms in developing world. European Development fund sig improvement in education healthcare infrastructure of SSAfrica. Can compete with China BRI.

Resulting strong global reputation gives states shared commitment to liberal values, sig more influential as a collective.

EU increasingly coordinating foreign + security policy prioritising member states. Seen with sig response to Russo-Ukraine war, multiple rounds of sanctions to Russia, targeting key areas of economic sector
e.g. Oil to cut off critical funding sources for Russian Military. Has had sig positive impact for Ukraine, halting Russian development.

Coop within EU enables member states to have greater military influence, even if indirect.

T2 – Geopolitical Influence, overall

Far more mixed success, EU still has to compete with other states, however ultimately successful. Combining influence of region both bolsters geopolitical influence by having larger population, economic weight and land, along with sig soft power as advantage over others with perhaps greater capability for geopolitical influence.

CCLN

EU success primarily for economic benefits, achieved and expanded initial economic goal of ECC. While geopolitical influence and success may be underwhelming compared to other states, has not harmed states rather it has given them greater weight within collective system as opposed to individually, have greater geopolitical influence in the EU than if not in EU.