An Analysis of the History and Development of the European Union - Essay Example

An Analysis of the History and Development of the European Union It is my intention to write a research proposal on the History and development of the European Union. In this regard, various issues relating to this topic were scrutinized and discussed. 1.1 Introduction The European Union constitutes the best example of political and regional integration in the world. It does not fall under the concept of intergovernmentalism, and constitutes supranationalism1. The European Union is a unitary entity, which had emerged from intergovernmental treaties, like the Maastricht Treaty of 1991. Although it is a unified entity it has several characteristics of a sovereign state such as the policy of common external tariff; common agricultural policy; common unitary system and a central bank2. 1.2 European Integration This study will focus on the development of the European Union on account of integration. The European Community was constituted, in order to restore peace in Europe subsequent to the Second World War. It was formed with the sole objective of preventing war, and to bring about peace and friendship between the inimical countries of Europe. To this end, efforts were made to not only establish better relations between France and Germany, but also to reintroduce Germany into the comity of nations as a responsible and competent state. This move was undertaken, principally, to strengthen Western unity, which helped to establish unilateral action that dispelled the fear of retaliation by the Eastern countries. Therefore, the fundamental objective of establishing the European Community was to build up mutual confidence between the East and the West3. The second objective of the EC was to eliminate economic disparities, which had emerged during the 1930s, in Europe by ignoring the global recovery policy. There was a huge economic crisis, and almost all the nations in Europe had sustained a downward economic trend. This situation resulted in a number of dictatorships. Subsequent to the end of World War II, the Organization for European Economic Cooperation or OEEC established some measures for economic uplift in the European nations. The European Community built upon the efforts of the OEEC and established a common market in Europe, by pooling all the economic resources of its Member States. The EC had also set up several national protectionist measures, and it had appointed an independent commission to regulate these issues, and to resolve economic problems at the community level4. The European Union is expanding to a greater extent than has been previously expected. The strength of the EU is increasing tremendously, and it has implemented a single currency unit throughout the Union. Accordingly, this single currency – termed the euro – has replaced the national currencies of several Member States. The number of member states has increased to twenty – five from the previous fifteen and several countries of the former communist bloc have joined the Union. The island states of Cyprus and Malta have also become Member States of the EU5. Moreover, ten Member States have ratified the Lisbon Treaty that aims to implement a treaty that would establish a Constitution for the EU. The target date for such ratification has been specified as the first of January, 2009. The Lisbon Treaty will change the existing rules of the EU, and render the latter much more powerful6. Democracy would be enhanced in the European Union by reducing the veto power of the more powerful Member States, due to the adoption of qualified majority voting, in decision making and similar initiatives. The constitution would provide greater powers to EU agencies, so as to increase their power in international agreements and to counter new security challenges, like illegal immigration, drug trafficking and terrorist activities. The proposed constitution provides a president and a foreign minister to the EU to represent it internationally7. The European Union is a non – state or non – unitary entity and it follows the concept of sui generis. Moreover, it is not a confederation of states or a federal state8. 1.3 Role of the Commission in Achieving Integration in the Community The Commission acts as a law maker, guardian of the Treaties and the budget maker of the community. It acts as the chief initiator of the EU policies. The Commission is kept out of the Common Foreign and Security Policy or CFSP and Cooperation on Justice and Home Affairs or JHA. However, the Commission is deemed to be the central power of the EU, as it supervises the functioning of the EU. The Commission is the driving force behind European integration, and contributes to the development of the EU through political negotiations between the Member States9. 1.4 Role of the European Court of Justice in ensuring the supremacy or EU law The European Court of Justice or the ECJ plays a key role in the EU; and it has three principal duties. First, ensuring that the EU bodies do exercise authority in excess of with is required; second, resolving disputes between the EU bodies and the Member States and lastly, ensuring the proper implementation of the EU law throughout the EU. National governments must act in accordance with the EU law. The ECJ is the highest authority in the EU, and it decisions are binding and final. It is the constitutional court of the EU; and it interprets the provisions of EC law, and the decisions of the Commission. It restricts EU institutions from breaching EU law, and requires them to operate within their authority. Individuals’ claims and challenges with regard to the applicability of EC law and the decision of the Commission can be heard by the national courts. In the event of conflict with national legislations, national courts can refer such cases to the ECJ for interpretation and decision. Individuals can also bring cases before the ECJ through direct appeals. On several occasions, it might be desirable to render EU law or the decisions of Commission, invalid and inapplicable. Some of these reasons are that the law is found to be ultra vires, beyond the authority of the EU institutions and breaches of fundamental rights of individuals guaranteed by national constitutions10. 1.5 Role of the other EU institutions in maintaining the Integrity of the European Union The Council of Ministers deals with the problems arising out of the policies of the Commission. Each Member State has a representative in the Council of Ministers. These representatives act as ministers in the Council. Decisions are usually taken unanimously by the Council or by a majority vote system. The votes are weighted on the basis of the size of the Member State. To pass a provision, a seventy percent majority of the votes polled, is required11. Within a span of fifty years, the EU has evolved into a supranational body from a mere intergovernmental entity. Institutes of the EU like the European Court of Justice, the European Commission and the European Central Bank have been provided with supremacy over national legislation and national courts. The EU has been very influential in the lives of European citizens, by determining the way they have to live, work and spend money. It is the supreme body in Europe which has widespread powers over its Member States. Within the EU there is no delegation of powers, this aspect attracted widespread comments that the EU is democratically deficit. The decision making power and the way its institutions operate have invited extensive criticism12. The EC law has precedence over nation legislation of the member states. However, under some circumstances, the notion of subsidiarity can be invoked by member states. Under the principle of subsidiarity the European Commission is required to delegate the power of decision making to member state authorities. The Treaty of Nice had introduced certain changes to the administration of the EU in the year 2000. These changes allow the enlargement and expansion of the EU. It also promotes the integration of the economies of the Member States. Under these changes, Member States’ votes have to be weighted in favour of the larger states. The concept of qualified majority replaced the veto power of some nations in the decision making process. Furthermore, several limitations had been introduced with regard to the size of the European Commission, which resulted in the large nations losing their second Commissioner, in the year 2005. Eight or more nations can form groups and proceed with harmonization in agreed upon policy matters. These changes had left untouched the areas of tax and social security measures, and left them to the voting process13. 2. The European Union and its institutional system are based on Community Law. It provides for a procedure for decision making by the EU institutions. It also governs the relationship between the EU institutions. The European Community law regulates the relationship of the EU and its Member States. There have been several European Treaties, which formulated the European Community law. The EU bodies are empowered by the European Community law to issue regulations and directives to Member States, and to take decisions and offer recommendations. The EU institutions can decide upon Community matters. Regulations are directly applicable, have a binding effect on Member States, and harmonize their legislation. EU Directives, which are goal oriented, are also binding on the Member States. Member States are at liberty to decide the manner in which the Directives can be implemented. Sometimes, Directives are issued to harmonize the legislation of Member States. EU Directives require minimum standards to get implemented. Member States can implement higher requirements for directives14. The European Parliament is a unique body of the EU. The nature of the European Parliament is not found in any country’s parliament and its role is unfamiliar to most countries. Even the Members of European Parliament are very little known in their native countries, which elected them to represent them in the European Parliament. The European Parliament contains four former prime ministers of member states. It has a large number of eminent mayors and regional leaders. Fifty – nine of its members had held national ministerial office in their own countries15. The European Parliament is empowered to dismiss the Commission. However, it has no authority over the Council of Ministers; and Parliament can use its veto power to stop future EU enlargement. It can reject any international agreement; for instance, it had refused the EU – Turkey customs union. Despite these powers, the Parliament was neither engaged in international agreements nor was it consulted before entering in them16. The European Parliament can reject or accept certain EU laws on the strength of co – decision with the Council. It provides consultative opinions in some categories of legislation. These opinions can be ignored and the Parliament has no formal power to initiate legislation. The European Parliament shares responsibility with the Council in matters relating to budget and expenditure. However, it cannot involve itself in revenue matters. Nevertheless, it can disallow certain budgetary expenditures. Some European citizens argue that the European Parliament is of no use in the function of the EU, while other citizens claim that it is an important institution of the EU17. 3. Objectives of this analysis This study aims to investigate the purpose behind the integration of the EU; and its effectiveness in realizing these objectives. In this regard, the study examines the functioning of the various institutions of the EU, and the effectiveness of its various policies. 4. Conclusions The Second World War created unpredicted and unprecedented changes in the world. Moreover, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers, and these drastic changes reduced the status and significance of some of Europe’s, once powerful nations. The Soviet Union’s effect had been political and military; whereas, the United States had brought about economic effect. European empires were destroyed and most economies in the Northern hemisphere were more adversely affected than those in the Southern hemisphere. Amidst these conditions, several European nations come together to form an integrated body in order to increase their power politically and economically, and to prove themselves in the world. At present, Europe is a rapidly developing continent in terms of technology and economy18. List of References Commission. (2000). In Encyclopedia of the European Union. Retrieved April 24, 2008, from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/864354 Dimitris N. Chryssochoou. 2001. Models of Democracy and the European Polity. P.1 European Court of Justice (ECJ). (2000). In Encyclopedia of the European Union. Retrieved April 28, 2008, from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/864566 European Parliament (EP). (2000). In Encyclopedia of the European Union. Retrieved April 28, 2008, from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/864590European Parliament (EP). (2000). In Encyclopedia of the European Union. Retrieved April 28, 2008, from DISPLAYURL European Union. (2003). In The Penguin Dictionary of Economics. Retrieved April 24, 2008, from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/6931885 EU Policies and Health. Retrieved 28 April 2008 from http://gaspp.stakes.fi/NR/rdonlyres/634952B0-5F1F-4825-BF69-79690838E012/0/EUpoliciesandhealth.pdf European Union. Britannica Book of the Year, 2006. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 28 April 2008 from http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9403851 European Union (EU). (2006). In Collins Dictionary of Business. Retrieved April 28, 2008, from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/5922845 Europe, history of. (2008). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved April 28, 2008, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://search.eb.com/eb/article-58486 Giandomenico Majone, 1996. Regulating Europe. London: Routledge. P.55. Iain McLean, 1996. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Thomas D. Zweifel. International organizations and democracy: accountability, politics. 2005. Pages 131 – 134. Swiss Consulting Group, Inc. ISBN: 1588263673. Treaty of Lisbon. Retrieved on April 28, 2008 from http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/index_en.htm Read More