c)- Mechanisms of Reform
Why was there a need for the European Union?
After WW2, many people in Europe thought the best way to prevent war between European Nations was to create strong economies, more employment and a higher standard of living. Particularly, French statesmen Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman believed that linking the economies of European countries was the best way to prevent war in Europe. This is how the concept for a United States of Europe was formed. This meant that small European states had a chance of competing against huge markets such as Russia and the United States. In 1957 Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the treaty of Rome which set up the European Economic Community (EEC), and then in 1987 the EEC became known as the European Community (EC). Finally in 1993, under the Maastricht Treaty changed the name to the European Union and introduced a single currency (the Euro) by 1999.
How does the EU work and how many nationalities does it involve?
The EU consists of 28 countries in Europe.
The three main institutions of the European Union are:
-The European Commission
-The European Parliament
-The Council of the European Union
The European Commission is comprised of 28 commissioners, one from each EU Country. Their job is to think about what is best for all citizens in the EU, not just their own country and to suggest new laws. They meet in Brussels every week and make sure that any laws passed by the parliament and the Council of Ministers are carried out. The Commission can take any country that breaks EU law to the European Court of Justice if required.
The EU Parliament is often called The Voice of the People, a definition with which many Europeans (and their national governments) often disagree. The citizens of Europe elect the EU Parliament. The number of MEPs for each country depends on the population of that country. Elections take place every five years and the parliament meets in Strasbourg every month to discuss and debate the suggestions for laws that come from the Commission. They can ask for changes to be made and also help to decide on the EU budget. The members elected from each country do not sit together in blocks (e.g. the French MEPs, the British MEPs, the Irish MEPs etc.), but in one of the seven Europe-wide political groups (e.g. the Christian Democrats, the Socialists, the Greens, etc.).
The Council of the European Union consists of ministers from different member states who meet to make final decisions about suggestions for new laws that have passed through the European Commission and the European Parliament. Depending on the topic being discussed, minsters from each EU country in that field will be there. For example, if the topic is education, all the educations minsters will be there. The laws are passed when the Council and the Parliament agree.
Identify four policy areas that the EU is working for on behalf of its member states.
-Environment
-Education
-Health
-Employment and social affairs
Outline the limitations the EU has as a mechanism of change.
The EU has limitations as a mechanism of change, as it has to overcome specific difficulties of legal complication, such as the pillar structure. It has to join 28 member states that remain fully sovereign in most matters, together on an issue such as security. Thus, it is a lengthy and complex process. The recent crises in several European economies (especially Ireland, Greece, Italy and Spain) have highlighted these difficulties.
Why was there a need for the European Union?
After WW2, many people in Europe thought the best way to prevent war between European Nations was to create strong economies, more employment and a higher standard of living. Particularly, French statesmen Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman believed that linking the economies of European countries was the best way to prevent war in Europe. This is how the concept for a United States of Europe was formed. This meant that small European states had a chance of competing against huge markets such as Russia and the United States. In 1957 Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the treaty of Rome which set up the European Economic Community (EEC), and then in 1987 the EEC became known as the European Community (EC). Finally in 1993, under the Maastricht Treaty changed the name to the European Union and introduced a single currency (the Euro) by 1999.
How does the EU work and how many nationalities does it involve?
The EU consists of 28 countries in Europe.
The three main institutions of the European Union are:
-The European Commission
-The European Parliament
-The Council of the European Union
The European Commission is comprised of 28 commissioners, one from each EU Country. Their job is to think about what is best for all citizens in the EU, not just their own country and to suggest new laws. They meet in Brussels every week and make sure that any laws passed by the parliament and the Council of Ministers are carried out. The Commission can take any country that breaks EU law to the European Court of Justice if required.
The EU Parliament is often called The Voice of the People, a definition with which many Europeans (and their national governments) often disagree. The citizens of Europe elect the EU Parliament. The number of MEPs for each country depends on the population of that country. Elections take place every five years and the parliament meets in Strasbourg every month to discuss and debate the suggestions for laws that come from the Commission. They can ask for changes to be made and also help to decide on the EU budget. The members elected from each country do not sit together in blocks (e.g. the French MEPs, the British MEPs, the Irish MEPs etc.), but in one of the seven Europe-wide political groups (e.g. the Christian Democrats, the Socialists, the Greens, etc.).
The Council of the European Union consists of ministers from different member states who meet to make final decisions about suggestions for new laws that have passed through the European Commission and the European Parliament. Depending on the topic being discussed, minsters from each EU country in that field will be there. For example, if the topic is education, all the educations minsters will be there. The laws are passed when the Council and the Parliament agree.
Identify four policy areas that the EU is working for on behalf of its member states.
-Environment
-Education
-Health
-Employment and social affairs
Outline the limitations the EU has as a mechanism of change.
The EU has limitations as a mechanism of change, as it has to overcome specific difficulties of legal complication, such as the pillar structure. It has to join 28 member states that remain fully sovereign in most matters, together on an issue such as security. Thus, it is a lengthy and complex process. The recent crises in several European economies (especially Ireland, Greece, Italy and Spain) have highlighted these difficulties.