EU History and Integration: Vocabulary Flashcards
Why study the history of the EU?
- To make sense of political decisions and decision-making.
- To understand wider contexts: geopolitical situations, changes of leadership in countries.
- To explain the nature of EU governance today: path dependency.
Historical developments: key institutions
- European Commission: known as the College of Commissioners; growth sequence (as EU expanded): 9 → 13 → 17 → 20 → 25 → 27 → 28 → 27.
- European Parliament: from Consultative Assembly to elected Parliament; procedures evolved from consultation to co-decision to assent.
Widening vs deepening?
- Widening: adding new member states.
- Deepening: increasing policy integration and transfer of sovereignty.
- Change in EU is driven by both processes; they interact over time.
Drivers of European integration
- Neofunctionalism (Haas): interdependence and spillovers compel deeper integration.
- Intergovernmentalism (Hoffmann, Moravskasik): governments control the speed and direction; integration driven by national interests.
Theoretical debates (Euro example)
- Neofunctionalist view: spillover from economic cooperation; reduce barriers and costs; Commission pushes to empower common institutions.
- Intergovernmentalist view: member states set the parameters (e.g., convergence criteria); recognise benefits but maintain control (e.g., via ECB Board).
30 years of European Union
- Maastricht Treaty came into force in 1993, introducing the name European Union and concepts like opt-outs and differentiated/ multi-speed Europe.
- Enlargement dynamics: before Maastricht, talks of more members; 1995 added Austria, Finland, and Sweden.
Ever closer union?
- National leaders remained in the EU after Maastricht because they believed joint action could manage global crises more effectively; the belief was powerful but also created tensions.
Treaties after Maastricht
- 1998 Treaty of Amsterdam: UK opt-out on Schengen.
- 2000 Treaty of Nice: addressed institutional issues ahead of enlargement; intergovernmental bargaining on QMV, Commissioners, EP seats; public support remained mixed.
Does the EU need a constitution?
- Constitutional convention (2001) and Laeken Declaration (2001) aimed at opening treaty-making.
- Draft European Constitution (2004) sought to reform the EU and include a Charter of Fundamental Rights; rejected in France and the Netherlands.
- Provisions were incorporated in the Lisbon Treaty (2007), which entered into force in 2009.
New member states 2004 enlargement
- 2004: "Big Bang" enlargement – 10 new member states.
- 2007: Two more joined.
- 2013: One more joined.
- Reflection on a major shift in EU scope and demographics (link provided in slides).
Where are we today?
- What is the EU?
- What are the current challenges?
Big issues on the agenda
- Widening vs deepening balance
- Governance and institutional reform
- Enlargement and neighbourhood policy
- Economic governance (euro, budget) and stability
- Democratic legitimacy and rule of law
- External policy and global role
Widening versus Deepening: Revision exercise!
- Compare and contrast widening and deepening processes.
- Assess how they interact and what trade-offs arise for governance and legitimacy.