How well is neo-functionalism still able to account for the evolution of the European Union - Essay Example

?HOW WELL IS NEO-FUNCTIONALISM STILL ABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE EVOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION? of Institution Date: Introduction The European Union has gone through various changes since its formation to a point that its institutions and policies are of global significance that is unmatched by any other international organizational (Moravcsik 2005, 349). In the Eurozone, quotas, tariffs and almost all customs barriers have been abolished (Moravcsik 2005, 349). When it comes to regulations; the organization is a leading global and regional force in sectors such as environmental, industrial and agricultural standardization policies. Additionally, EU is a super power when it comes to international trade (Moravcsik 2005, 349). Studied critically, the EU policies positions Europe as a silent superpower having power that equals or supersedes the one held by US in almost all aspects expect that of deployment of military forces (Moravscik, 2005, p. 349). The European Commission receives preferential treatment and recognition in international secretariats as the powers of the European Parliament continue to increase steadily over years. From 1950s, scholars have described European Union as an institution on an upward growth path and in course of achieving ever closer ties (Moravcsik 2005, 350). He asserts that such thinking is linked to neo-functionalism, forming one of the two main theories considered in analyzing EU integration; neo-functionalism and inter-governmentalism (Moga 2009, 796). Both theories have been criticized, amended although they consist of strong theoretical arguments useful in understanding integration. The theory of neo-functionalism emerged in mid 1950s and is used to explain regional integration where countries do away with barriers to trade to enforce free trade. Neo-functionalism is heavily connected to the strategies used in integration (Rosamond 2000, 10). Jean Monnet, described by various authors as the principal architect of the European integration and a founding father of EU adopted an approach that aimed at bringing integration in similar sectors with an aim of bringing attaining spillover effects which would further the integration process (Rosamond 2000, 11). The theory was developed by Earns Haas where he reformulated the principles of functionalist and analyzed them in the context of regional organizations. Neo-functionalist views integration as driven by creation of institutions although they were not originally aimed to do this. Neo-functionalism postulates that with the formation central supranational sate, the role of nationalism and national states declines. In addition to positive spill over, the other mechanisms seen as driving integration include technocratic automaticity and change of domestic alliances (Moga 2009, 796). An example of positive spill over is a situation in which a sector such as coal and steel under the governance of a single central institution cause so much pressure to the other associated areas of policy including taxation and wages and influences integration (Wallace 2004, 15). Change in domestic alliance happens when various state interest groups, elites and associations transfer their loyalty to supranational institutions and away from national institutions. This is usually fuelled by a realization that supranational institutions offer better paths for achieving the desired goals rather than national institutions (Wallace 2004, 16). This leads to grouping of individuals having pro-European ideas and persuades national leaders to shift their alliance to an integrated region (Wallace 2005, 17). Technocratic automaticity views integration as being boosted by supranational institutions which become stronger than member states. This paper will evaluate how well neo-functionalism can still be used to account for the evolution within the European Union and the discussion will be based on the various developments that have occurred during the past two decades. Inter- govermentalism looks at integration from a different perspective considering states and the central concept of national security and sovereignty state associations. The theory came up with the logic of diversity and set limits within which spill-over process can influence the operations of governments (Moga 2009, 796). Moravscik postulated that inter-govermentalism consists of three elements which include; liberal preference in national formations and acting from a basis of rational thinking. The other element of inter-govermentalism postulates that European Union integration is fueled by a desire to ensure that there is no outbreak of war (Moravcsik 2005, 350). He goes ahead to argue that the other objectives stem from this main objective. Evolution in EU in the Last Two Decades In 1992, the treaty of Maastricht also known as the treaty of the European Union was signed. The treaty gave the EU its formal title European Union overriding its previous status of an economic community instead led to creation of common policies (Baskaran, 2010, 309). Maastricht treaty amended the provisions that lead to the formation of European Economic Community to pave way for the creation of European Community. This treaty is considered as an instrumental tool that can be considered as a driving force for evolution of EU (Baskaran 2010, 309). From a neo-functionalist perspective, Maastricht treaty is considered as an instrument that created institutions which furthered the process of EU integration. The treaty lead to the formation of the European community structured on three pillars which demanded for institutions to support their operations as postulated in neo-functionalism. The treaty touched on economic relations, foreign affairs and home affairs. The economic relations pillar was intended to advance trade relations among members as foreign affairs described the relation between member countries with states outside the Union (Kuijper 2004, 609) and the spill-over effects of this was the creation of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) which enhanced the process of formation of supranational institutions. As postulated in the neo-functionalism theory, the institutions lead to the need for common policies and this is evidenced by creation of the Euro (Baskaran 2010, 310). The other spill over effect of the Maastricht is that enhanced free movement of citizens within the region and this has advanced the process of integration. The Maastricht treaty extended the responsibilities of the European Union and advanced the process of integration. However, the treaty of Maastricht can not only be assessed from neo-functionalism perspective given that the states signatories to the treaty were acting on rational basis (Franco 2006, 477). Various states were acted from pressure brought by pressure groups including manufacturers who wanted to enjoy a wider market. Also trade unions wanted free movement of people to be implemented so that employment opportunities would open-up (Franco 2006, 480). Consequently, each state was being pushed by different reasons depending on the outcome they wanted to achieve. Manufacturers in the superior economies in the region wanted to free movement to be open so that they could access a large pool of highly skilled workforce (Franco 2006, 481). In congruent with neo-functionalism theory where one policy creates need for another policy, the Maastricht treaty was ratified in 1993 leading to the creation of central banking in the region. In the same year, the adoption of a single market for member countries was completed to fulfill the interest of various pressure groups (Franco 2006, 481). 1993 saw the European Council converged in a meeting at Copenhagen, Denmark came up with a criteria outline the process for joining the organization (Baskaran, 2010, 312). This necessitated by the continued pressure from interest groups. The requirements for joining the union included a demonstration of a stable democracy respecting human rights and one that upholds the rule of law (Baskaran 2010, 312). Moreover, the country must have a well functioning market economy having ability of competing in the region and the last requirement is to accept the obligations that come with membership to the union. This new criteria opened doors form more countries to seek for membership as more worked to achieve the compliance standards that would see them secure membership (Baskaran 2010, 312). This new policy may be analyzed from the inter-govermentalism theory given that the strict requirements were meant to ensure that member states enjoy stability preventing eruption of war. Moreover, opening up of the organization would increase members under the control of the European Commission. Countries seeking accession do so because the EU is seen as a symbol of political stability and enhanced security (Monnier 2004, 315). Additionally, there was reduced nationalism as most leaders in the countries sort to identify the country with the group. When a country gain accession they are considered as complying with the previous criteria defined during the 1995 Copenhagen Council meeting (Monnier 2004, 315). Every country in the region would like to associate with the organization that upholds high standards and this has raised the applicants seeking accession to the Union (Monnier 2004, 317). Following the definition of a new criterion on accession, the European Union went through a major expansion in 1995 during which Australia, Finland and Sweden joined Union. The expansion was fuelled by various including the economic reasons (Cem 2006, 723). The European Union went through the forth expansion with an aim of expanding its market and thereby increasing the economic growth of member countries (Cem 2006, 723). Moreover, through expansion the European Union increase the size of its market. Expansion would also help the organization makes more economic impact internationally given that decisions would be made by a bigger association demonstrating an reduction in nationalism and increased alliance to supranational institutions as postulated in neo-functionalism (Steunenberg 2001, 351). In 1995, the implementation of Schengen Agreement began with initially seven member states taking part. The Schengen convection allows for free movement of European citizens across boundaries without the need for passport and visas. The agreement was intended to liberalize measures for promoting trade and enhanced integration among varying nationalities (Fletcher 2009, 71). The member countries implementing Schengen agreement have increased with growth of the European Union which means that more citizens from member states are crossing boundaries increasing integration and demanding for development of more policies to increase cooperation (Fletcher 2009, 71). To control illegal immigration by members from outside the Union, there is a common border which is supposed to be collectively policed by member states (Zaiotti 2011, 537). In 1997, the European Union went through another major evolution when the treaty of Amsterdam was made. This was third amendment to the Treaty of Rome signed in 1957 trying to correct issues that had not been addressed by the Maastricht Treaty (Meloni 2005, 1357). Nevertheless, the treaty affected the way that the European Union Council operated and incorporated the Schengen Convection. Moreover, it advanced the responsibility of EU in home affairs and pushed forward supranational EU while doing away with intergovernmental co-operations (Meloni 2005, 1357). The Treaty of Amsterdam played a significant role in fast tracking integration of the EU. The treaty addressed four basic areas that include freedom, security and justice, union and citizenship, common foreign policy and reform within the EU institutions (Williams, 1998, 196). The treaty held that all member state should adhere to the principles of liberty, respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The spillover from this meeting was that in 1998, the EU Council began drafting the Charter of Fundamentals Rights (Williams 1998, 196). The other positive spill over from Treaty of Amsterdam was development of the concept of Citizenship of the union. The outcomes of this treaty are common standards to encourage EU intervention to do away with unemployment and to enhance and protect the quality of the environment (Williams 1998, 196). In line with inter-govermentalism, EU integration sort to avoid break-up of Yugoslavia and war in the continent indicated that there was need to prevent emergence of crisis. The common foreign policy developed under Maastricht treaty led to imbalances in the way the Union would manage mergers (Bercusson 2004, 1462). Consequently, the Amsterdam Treaty came up with a common foreign and security policy to deal with all matters touching on security. The Amsterdam all introduced changes to the EU institutions where the responsibilities of the parliament was increased and the functioning of the EU Commission and Council in order to ensure that it catered for future enlargements (Williams 2001, 177). Being a theory of regional integration, neo-functionalism theory had an exceptionally decisive role in bringing eleven new countries into the European Union from 1997 to 1999. The aim of European Union expansion was for region economic sustainability. After the 1996 election, the Maltese government applied for European Union membership. The Malta wanted to join the union for economic prosperity. They also wanted to expand their production market (Rosamond 2000, 89). This was in reference to the neo-functionalism theory which confirms economic interdependence as one of the core grounds for regional integration and merger. The dialogue for their (Malta) inclusion was however suspended for sometimes (Caporaso1998, 16). In 1997, the Luxembourg European council intervened to ensure negotiation for the inclusion of Maltese government into European Union is in progress. The dialogue was as a result opened on March 1998. In 1998, the European Union council requested for 1993 report which talk about Malta membership. In the report, the commissions confirmed adequate functionality of the Malta judicial and human right institutions (Wallace 2000, 95). As stated by the theory of neo-functionalism, proper judicial system and evidence of protection of human right are some of the major considerations for integration. On economic matters, Malta was reported to have a working market economy although its capability to cope in European Union competition pressure was a challenge. After the commission satisfaction with the report presented before them, they started analytic examination as required for by the theory of neo-functionalism. The examination process is commonly referred to as screening exercise. The screening exercise started in May 1999 and ended in January 2010. After screening, the council agreed to extend their activities to Malta in June 2010 by initiating multilateral political discussion (Wallace 2006, 123). Following the integration of Malta into the European Union, it was granted a pre-accession aid of $ 38 million for building its economic institutions and to participate in community building. The European Union used the neo-functionalism procedure in integrating Malta in to the union. The commission was involved in preparing the economic, social, and political report that was used in accessing the competence of the Malta into the European Union. Soon after its integration into the union, Malta started benefiting from the integration spill-over. It was granted some aids for economic and social development. There were also other eleven countries which were introduced into the union in the same year. However, they were integrated for financial and economic transaction only. They were only allowed to benefit from economic spill-over but denied benefits from other integration spill-over (Haas 2008, 89). On January 2002, the European Union introduced common notes and coins in European Union members. They were distributed in main logistical operations centres in members’ countries. In reference to neo-functionalism theory, the issues of having a common currency enhance economic dependency among member countries (Richardson 2006, 56). Countries with weaker currencies are boosted by countries which have advanced economy. The initiative of introducing common currency among the European Union countries members was the proposal of economists. They fought for universal currency to enhance equal economic development among European Union member countries. On March 31st 2003, European Union adopted and executed the foreign and security policy. The European Union foreign and security policy allowed the member countries to act as one entity in international affairs. European Union plays exceedingly crucial roles in international affairs. The foreign and security policy is based on diplomatic ways of solving international issues. The policy allows the European Union members to participate in restoring peace among conflicting countries and communities. They also take part in peace keeping mission to members and non-members countries. The European Union also offers humanitarian aids to violent victims. The European Union does not have it own security forces. As per the foreign and security policy, European Union countries have the obligation of providing security forces to the union for peace mission. The policy has granted the European Union permission to participate in various rescue missions. The authority for peace mission remains the obligation of the European Union governments. However, other players such as European parliament and European commission are also involved in the process of enhancing peace (Putnam 2008, 460). The introduction of European Union foreign and security policy is in accordance to some of the facets that regulate neo-functionalism. In reference the neo-functionalism theory, different countries amalgamate to have the capability of solving emerging disputes in the world. Integration of different country enables them to have legal legitimacy of intervening in conflicting situations. The integration of the twelve European countries by then had given them the power and ability to intervene and solve different disputes in the world (Wincott 2005, 78). In recent years, the European Union countries have intervened and solved various international conflicts. They have a legal legitimacy of taking responsibility in international conflicts. The introduction of foreign and security policy was influenced by different humanitarian international organisations. According the humanitarian groups, many innocent groups were dying every year in civil and other forms of war. There was therefore need for policy that will legitimize international integrations to protect innocent war victims. Nongovernmental organizations were squarely involved in the formulation of the European Union foreign and security. Their role was to ensure the inclusion of clause that will cater for violent victims’ interests (Peterson and Bomberg 1999, 67). In May 1st 2004, European Union approved a policy for expansion of its members. Many European countries had applied for membership into the union. On the other hand, the commission also wanted to expand its market to other European countries. During this period, the union anticipated to expand its operations to the Eastern Europe. The eight countries that were included in the union were Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Hungary. This brought to an end of long time division among European countries. The process of adopting the 2004 expansion policy took substantial amount of time and involved different individual and organisations. Economists were consulted to assess the economic and marketing impact of the inclusion of the Eastern country into the union. The commission that runs the European Union affairs was also involved in the entire process. All the involved countries were consulted for consideration of their opinion. The ideal aim of seeking advice from all involved stakeholders was to get a legitimate policy of expanding the union (Marks 2006, 234). The idea of expanding European Union in 2004 was influenced neo-functionalism theory. European Union wanted to expand their market to Eastern Europe. The 2004 expansion policy has positive spill-over to the entire union members. Currently, there is free flow of goods all over region with very limited restrictions (Tranholm-Mikkelsen 2005, 22). The union has set up common favourable marketing strategies for its members. The treaty has increased marketing opportunities among the union members. Additionally, there are several remarkable economic advantages among the union members. These advantages union served as pull factors for new members who intended to join the union in 2004. On the other hand, the then union members wanted additional economic interdependence. The expansion of the union to the Eastern Europe also increased their legal legitimacy to involve themselves in international disputes (Haas 2001, 17). On October 2004, European Union approved a constitutional treaty. The treaty introduced European Union members to constitution making process. The new constitution was intended to replace the existing European Union treaty. The constitutional treaty was signed and endorsed by twenty four member countries. The treaty was premeditated to come up with a well defined and democratic decision making process where all members had a role to play in policy making process (Laffan 2004, 90). The treaty also established a position for European foreign minister. The role of the European foreign minister was clearly defined in the treaty. However, the treaty faced tremendous resistance from several countries including Netherlands and France. These two countries among few others rejected the treaty in 2005 referendums. Frequent resistance led to the declaration of reflection in the treaty (Bretherton and Vogler 2009, 67). Some principles of neo-functionalism applied in the introduction and termination of European Union policy. To start with, as stipulated by the neo-functionalism theory, for any policy, law or idea to be effective in the integration process, it must be approved by all players. In this case, countries which were members of the union had to sign the treaty. The resistance of some union member led to the termination of the treaty. On the other hand, any constitutional making process must be democratic. France cited some treaty clauses that deterred democracy in decision making process as some of the main factor that led to their resistance. Adequate participation of all stakeholders in the process is a manifestation of neo-functionalism (Kohler-Koch 2006, 360). On 27 December 2007, the twenty seven European Union countries signed treaty of Lisbon. The treaty amended the previous treaties. The policy started operating on 1st December 2009. The treaty comes up with different institutions and policies appropriate to address modern international challenges. Some of the main issues the treaty aimed to address were globalization, demographic change, energy issues, security issues, and climate change. It also enhanced democracy among its members in various decision making facets. The policy provided the union with the capability of addressing challenges facing the country members’ citizen. The treaty emphasizes on the need for collaboration to achieve the challenges affecting Europe and the world in general. Due to interaction in coming up with this treaty, there was very limited resistance among the union members (Jeffery 2000, 456). The Lisbon treaty was to a great extent influenced by neo-functionalism theory. The leaders who met to develop this treaty had political, economic, and social changes in Europe in their mind. They understood the important of integration to meet some of the challenges affecting European Union. The leaders also evaluated the need to come up with better ways of looking for solutions of the emerging problem for the benefit of the European public (Armstrong and Bulmer 2008, 56). The treaty explains the European Union capability on marketing, economy, and conflict resolution. It also talks about the areas which require improvement. The treaty therefore increased internal democracy as per the requirement of neo-functionalism theory. This treaty is as a result of consultation between European Union members, economist, commission and policy makers (Nugent 1999, 234). Conclusion Neo-functionalism theory is one of the exceptionally appropriate theories in country integration and interaction. It provides the required guidelines and principles significant in countries integration. In accordance to the neo-functionalism theory, there are some factors that lead to the integration among different countries. Countries integrate to advance their abilities to deal with internal and international conflict and disputes. Integration among different countries gives the integrating countries legal power to intervene in case of international disputes. Neo-functionalism also offers economic interdependence among different nations. The marketing rules among integrated countries have a significant impact on inter-countries marketing. Membership of European Union and the treaties present in the union have been significantly influenced by neo-functionalism ideologies. All union members have equal rights in the union decision making process. Leadership positions are open to all union members provided they have community legitimacy. The existing policies explains the mandates of the union as well as what the union cannot do. The European Union is very flexible in their daily activities. There are regulations which guide their daily activities. Union members are always involved in treaty and law making process. The European Union also involves relevant policy makers, and Non Government Organization in designing treaties and policies as required for by neo-functionalism theory. Due to frequent legal and ideological changes, European Union has changed significant over the last fifty years. Changes in the modern world have a significant role in the advancement experienced in European Union. Some of the main changes which have influenced transformation experienced in European Union are frequent dispute, globalization, climatic changes, security threat, need for sustainable energy and demographic shift. However, in the recent past the union has been affected greatly by financial crises which have been experienced in Europe and many other parts of the world. This was especially the case in 2010. Members of the European Union are aware of the complication associated with modern changes. They therefore acknowledge the important of unity in conquering the challenges. The neo-functionalism theory has in this case played a significant role in enhancing integration and togetherness among the European Union members. 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