The perspective of European Union in the future - Essay Example

? FORECAST OF EUROPEAN UNION By Presented to Forecast of European Union What is the future EU anticipated to be like? Is it expected to metamorphosis into an a free trade area, an integrated state that is federal, or should it be something else all together? Since the EU made developments northwards into the countries such as Ireland and Denmark, there has been a continued effort to establish a “better” Union . In the year 2002, it was recommended that an additional 20 countries should join by the year 2004. This recommendation was made under the assumption that the Eastern Europe will take the European Union to new levels. The logic behind this is the fact that it will give access to new and larger markets, which will provide a means for the EU to cope in the present global economy. The question on many people’s minds is what the EU should be like in the future. Europe itself will have undergone a series of multi-dimensional changes in the future, with regard to social environment, economic strength, political priorities in addition to geopolitics. This essay will discuss the future of the EU and how it will influence solidarity, democracy, and liberty in the years to come. The term liberty is taken to carry two meanings according to the European act. The refers to the facilitating of the free flow of goods, the removal of barriers, flow of income and the flow of people, who are part of the member countries (Smith, 2005). Analysts put forth the fact that there are very low chances of the international market turning into the prime focus of economic interests and engagement in the near future, since the EC has earned a longer life cycle. For instance, the anticipated gains in welfare among a number of the ECU 216 billion have been estimated to add up to 5.3 percent of the total GDP (Vendal, 2010). There is anticipation that virtually a cycle of benefits will be reaped, particularly in the long run. This is with regard to industrial reorganization, improved innovation, and economies of scale (Smith, 2005). Regardless of a bright future, there are chances that the community may run into internal speed bumps. The reason for this is the fact that it is presently made up of the a lesser grouping when it comes to the functionality of its members. An example may be inclusive of the fact that there is doubt as to whether there will be enough finances from the southern economies, which are regarded to be weak to enable them to participate in the EMU. It appears that a looser method of interaction is advised for the future community, especially for the enlargement of the community (Sampedro, 2004). Another aspect that is required for liberty to grow is openness accompanied with sudsier. Citizens ought to be informed of the remedies at their disposal of their rights are not taken into consideration. These remedies constitute ombudsmen, courts, and committees through which they can use to make petitions. A future Union should be a part of the people and the people should be a part of it. This means that the process of decision making should be open and the decisions should be made as often as possible to citizens (Natew, 2010). The citizens of all the members’ state expect a European Union whose administrations is candid, and regard accountability (Jacobi, 2001). There is no definite picture as what the enlarged EU it likely to be like, this is however is not to suggest that the power of the convention should be underestimated. A significant share of the duties that are performed by the Union are legalistic and technical. Presently, efforts are directed towards increasing coherence, simplification and enhancement of transparency in the political and institutions bodies of the EU. There is a streamlining process that focuses on the rules of decision making and availing a number of alternatives when it comes to the creation of laws. (Jackson, 2007) Analysis however highlights the fact that simplification may be a political matter. For instance if a large share of the decisions were to be made based on majority votes, then this would get rid of the veto powers. In turn, this may offer the EU an opportunity of not crashing. The irony behind this matter is that the power of such decisions still lies with the government and their citizens as to such a form of joint decision making. If the level of simplicity is increased then transparency will also be embraced, and this will facilitate the EU to be more democratic. This will be a great difference compared to the present state of affairs (Grenna, 2006). The truth of the matter is that not many are ready to agree that much more is needed for the construction of an evolved European Union . Democracy involves the participation of the public, where they are provided with a genuine platform which they access and share information. In the present community, these aspects are not present. The present focus is on the legal and institutional fragments that are involved in new constitution making. The fact that a constitution is accessible and simple is not a sufficient factor, but simply ought to be the initial step (Gleits, 1995). As of now, the European Union highly faces the risks of failing to perform its duties as far as taking up a progressive and a strong role in the society, overlooking the rhetorical commitments that were made by the Europe political leaders. There is an ironic twist, in that a Union of 25 countries that sums up to more that a billion citizens is an economic colossal, yet crippled when it comes to politics (Anon., 2009). This is such a major shortcoming, particularly because the challenges that are being experienced at the moment require a very clear voice of the European society. The convention that is working on the future of Europe is bent on coming up with a statement of goals and values that Europeans should undertake in the world. In this case, the emphasis goes to eradication of poverty, promotion, and enhancement of peace, and emphasis on multiculturalism (Grenna, 2006). The fact that the Union has good intentions is not sufficient to enable if to deliver and be expressed as a single common voice on the international stage. The reason behind this is the astonishing fact that countries such as France and Britain are very hesitant to act in unison. They are at such loggerheads that they will not work together even in instances where their views come together. They prefer to put forward their own individual personas on the global stage. To add insult to the injury is the fact that they are not ready to be part of in-depth civic discussions that would put them on a common platform (Anon., 2012). The confusion of Europe is seen on issues such as the Iraq crisis and their failure to be able to achieve a have a common standpoint. The impending enlargement, the diversities and interests are only subject to be more varied. As new members join, then it is only expected to be able to first address the political issues that the joining members must iron out. It if is not a successful move, then it will forever be recorded in history as the turning point that sealed the failure of the EU, instead of propelling its success (Vendal, 2010). It is for these reasons that the ability of the member countries to be able to overlook their differences and work towards defense, will serve as a test in the years to come, as the filter for a closer Union (Anon., 2009). The possibilities of the group being integrated is dependent on the willingness of the group, especially countries such as France, Britain and Germany to be able to consolidate their polices and action. Most essentially, is the standpoint that they take individually that will determine if they will be merged (Natew, 2010) . The future European Union Convention is presently dealing with the drawing of a constitutional treaty that is intended to sort a number of issues. The limitation of this structure is that it is focused on the present problems, throwing under the carpet the challenges that will come about as a result of the enlargement. Such are inclusive of dealing with the countries that are poor and that have the potential of being unstable. Other shortcomings are that the public’s is not ready and sufficiently prepared for the future expansions (Grenna, 2006). The European Union is on the verge of being able to achieve the biggest goals of the decade, which is namely the re-integration of the countries that were previously communist members from the eastern and central Europe, to be part of the European fold. One important aspect that should be taken into consideration at all times is that financial conflicts should not be allowed to take center stage and divert attention away from the importance of the achievement. To add onto this, the process of decision-making as used by the European Union , needs to be streamlined. Many of the problems that are experienced by the European Union are caused by numbers. The fact that it is home to 25 members makes the exchange of ideas next to impossible with reforms of the European Commission and the Council of Ministers. The solution has to be more that arithmetical. In addition to the above, qualitative changes should also be made as the new members are allowed to include their priorities on the EU’s agenda. The necessary preparations should also be made as the balance of power is anticipated to change as the new members weigh on the political arguments. References Anon., 2009. EU-MIDIS, European Union minorities and discrimination survey. Vienna: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. Anon., 2012. Crisis management agreement between the United States of America and the European Union signed at Washington, May 17, 2011.. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of State. Gleits, M., 1995. Global issues: an introduction. Cambridge, Mass.: Blackwell Publishers. Grenna, N., 2006. Extradition agreement with the European Union: message from the President of the United States transmitting Agreement on Extradition Between the United States of America and the European Union (EU), signed on June 25, 2003 at Washington. Washington: U.S. G.P.O.. Jackson, R., 2007. Global issues. Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill Contemporary Learning Series. Jacobi, O., 2001. The E-Union: International Conference On Union Growth, Toronto, 30 April - 1 May, 2001. Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, 558-559(3), p. 7. Natew, B., 2010. Consolidated versions of the treaty on European Union and of the treaty on the functioning of the European Union: charter of fundamental rights of the European Union. Luxemburg: Office for Official publications of the European Communities. Sampedro, R., 2004. Global issues. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Smith, N., 2005. The European Union. Bronx, NY: H.W. Wilson Co. Vendal, W., 2010. Consolidated versions of the treaty on European Union and of the treaty on the functioning of the European Union: charter of fundamental rights of the European Union. Luxemburg: Office for Official publications of the European Communities. Read More