European Integration (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

The formation of the European Union (EU)

• The idea of a distinct European identity is not a modern one

• The devastation of World War 2 prompted renewed interest in working toward better political, economic and social interconnections to preserve peace and ensure regional prosperity

Milestones 1945-1959 

• Post-war economic cooperation is seen in such areas as the coal and steel industries 

• In 1957 The Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community (EEC) to promote economic integration and the free movement of goods, people and services

• The European Parliament was formed in 1958

Milestones 1960-1969

• Further economic integration between states developed

• The beginnings of international cooperation can be seen

Milestones 1970-79

• The European Economic Community grows to include the following states and continues to politicise and promote economic cooperation 

  • Germany

  • France

  • Italy

  • Netherlands

  • Belgium

  • Luxembourg

  • The United Kingdom

  • Denmark

  • Ireland

Milestones 1980-93

• As communism in Eastern Europe declines, more countries join

• The Erasmus program starts to foster links between and opportunities for young people to attend educational institutions across Europe 

• November 1, 1993 the Maastricht Treaty came into force, transforming the European Community into the the European Union

Role, objectives and development of the EU

• The European Union is a global model of regionalism as a partnership of European states which promotes:

  • Peace

  • Prosperity

  • Democracy

Objectives and developments 

• Created a single market

• Established an economic and monetary union

  • Countries coordinate their economic policies and share a single currency, the Euro, to promote economic stability and integration

• Established the Schengen border-free zone

  • Many European countries have abolished internal border controls, allowing people to travel freely between them without passport checks

• Created common laws, rules and standards

• Acts as a unified global actor internationally

Key institutions of the EU

• The EU is able to create policies and laws and, significantly, has a judicial component to ensure that they are correctly applied and enforced, giving them great legitimacy

Institutions of the EU

1. European Commission

   • The European Commission makes political and strategic decisions and proposes laws to parliament

2. European Parliament

   • Elected by EU citizens, the Parliament works with the Council of the EU and has the power to approve or alter laws proposed by The European Commission

   • Oversees the  EU budget

   • Supervises the work of other EU institutions and works with the national parliaments of EU countries

3. Council of the European Union

   • Works closely with the European Parliament

   • Coordinates EU economic and security policies

4. Committee of the Regions (CoR)

   • 350 representatives of regional and local governments working to increase participation of European regions in the EU community

5. European Economic and Social Committee

   • A platform for Europe's civil society groups to express opinions on EU issues

6. European Court of Justice

   • Ensures that EU laws are correctly enforced across EU countries

   • National courts are able to refer to the Court of Justice to explain a point concerning the understanding of EU law

7. European Council

   • Made up of the leaders (presidents and prime ministers) of each EU member country

   • It decides on the EU's overall political direction and priorities

EU enlargement

• In addition to the growth in structure and scope, the number of member states has increased over the years with further applications pending

• The UK (along with Gibraltar) exited in 2020

• The EU is often cited as the most successful example of economic regionalism

  • Globally recognised as a stable and well-regulated system

  • The free movement of goods, services and people has led to economic growth for member states

  • In times of crisis, such as the Covid Pandemic, member states are able to fund and develop comprehensive recovery plans

Key treaties and agreements

• The treaties and agreements of the EU are numerous

• The most significant are its founding document and those connected with economic interconnectedness 

Economic and monetary union

• Economic and Monetary Union is an essential component of the Maastricht Treaty

• It requires coordination of its member states on

  • Policy-making regarding economic matters

  • Fiscal policies, including government debt and deficit

  • Acceptance of the monetary policy run by the European Central Bank (ECB)

  • Rules and supervision of financial Institutions 

  • A single currency

• The European Union argues that this coordination is beneficial to all member states 

  • Benefits of greater size brings efficiency and economic stability

  • Benefits of higher growth and more employment 

Economic governance under EMU

• Within the EMU there is no single institution responsible for economic policy

• Instead, the responsibility is divided between Member States and the EU institutions

• The main actors in EMU are:

  • The European Council, which sets the main policy goals

  • The Council of the EU, which coordinates EU economic policy-making

  • The 'Eurogroup', which coordinates policies of common interest to member states

  • The member states, which set their national budgets within agreed limits for deficit and debt, and formulate their own policies which adhere to EU guidance involving employment and capital markets

  • The European Commission, which monitors performance and compliance

  • The European Central Bank (ECB), which sets monetary policy and acts as central supervisor of financial Institutions 

  • The European Parliament, which shares the job of formulating legislation with the Council and reinforces democratic application of policies 

Supranational versus intergovernmental approaches

• A supranational organisation is an organisation made up of multiple countries where member states agree to share or transfer some sovereignty, allowing the organisation to make binding decisions that can override national laws in certain areas

• The EU is, by definition, a supranational organisation and is regarded as such by the international community

  • It has power to exercise some of the functions of a state in global politics 

  • Unlike other intergovernmental organisations, the sovereignty of member states is significantly reduced

  • Member states of the EU accept that the reduction of sovereignty because they expect economic benefits and security will be the result