European Political Economy and Features of Lisbon Treaty - Essay Example

Libson Treaty The purpose of this essay is to critically assess the effects of the Lisbon treaty on the processes of political and economicintegration in Europe. Firstly, it discusses the terms of the Lisbon treaty briefly then moves on to how the Lisbon treaty can help the 27 member states of the European Union to integrate politically and economically. It also discusses briefly the roles of the EC and EP under the new treaty with regard to the incorporation of the member states. Thesis Statement and Research Methodology In this paper I will critically assess the effects of the Lisbon treaty on the processes of political and economic integration in Europe. For the purpose of research, I have used and analysed many literature reviews. Lisbon Treaty The Lisbon Treaty was initially introduced to increase the coherence and the consistency of the external actions of the European Union. (The Lisbon Treaty) According to Langenhove (2008), the need for a treaty was felt after the last two enlargement processes of the EU in 2004 and 2007, whereby the member states increased from 15 to 27. The treaty consists of certain reforms that are aimed at making the European Union more democratic and efficient. The structural reforms of the EU, as Langenhove (2008) relates, consist of a new means of quantitative majority voting, a better distinction between the different competencies and an increased role for the national parliaments in the process of the co-decision when it comes to trading policies. Also it includes the idea that the European countries would be able to select their own president for the European Council. The rest of the essay focuses on the effects of the Treaty on the political and economic integration of the member states of the European Union. Lisbon Treaty- effects on economic integration Lisbon Treaty is expected to affect the economic integration of the member states of the European Union. The external trade policy is one economic aspect that the treaty focuses on. According to Woolcock (2008) the external trade policy after the treaty would no longer be decided by mixed agreements or the individual national parliaments. Rather it would be a part of the EU’s external actions. The treaty also brings all the key aspects of the trade policy under the EU competence which means that the commission would be responsible for all the trade related policies. This power in the past was under the national parliaments. Woolcock (2008) argues that this would lead the member states to have unanimous decisions over the economic policies. The inclusion of the Foreign Direct Investment in the EU competence is also one of the major steps taken in the Lisbon Treaty which ensures that the member states will have a comprehensive approach to the trade and investment in the world market. The treaty also states that the trade policy would be carried according to the general principles laid down by the European Union. Since the principles of the EU include sustainable and economic development for the member states, the integration of the member states into the world economy and the sustainable management of the economic resources, there is a chance of greater economic integration of the member states. However, since this policy is based on the quantitative majority voting process, it is likely that certain member states do not agree with the terms and the conditions of the policy. (CEU) On one hand the unanimous trade policy might be beneficial because it may lead to the member states having somewhat similar economies and thus better economic integration. On the other hand, however, as Woolcock (2008) states, the policy may lead to some countries following economic trade policies that they may not be in favour of. This way the objective of economic integration may not be achieved. Furthermore, Harrison (2007) believes that the High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy may also influence the economic decisions of the Commission. This has happened in the past in the Commission and is likely to take place again. If the High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy can influence or determine the economic decisions, like which countries should be allowed to have free trade, then the trade decisions cannot be termed as ‘unanimous’. (Taking Europe into the 21st Century) The trade policies that are affected by the Representative may be against the interests of some of the member states and may favour some. This way the process of economic integration may be hindered. The member states may not be satisfied with the policy decisions. Lisbon Treaty- effects on economic integration The Lisbon Treaty is also likely to affect the political integration of the member states of the EU. According to Woolcock (2008), the most important change that the Lisbon treaty can have is the increased role of the European Parliament (EP) in the trade negotiations of the union. This means that the parliament can now be more powerful than before over trade negotiations of the EU since under the Treaty it has powers to adopt regulations relating to trade like anti-dumping safeguards and trade barriers between the countries. In certain trade agreements like association agreements that have budgetary implications the consent of the parliament is deemed necessary. Woolcock (2008) argues that the shift towards the EU competence and the removal of the mixed agreements means that the national parliaments will have no say in the agreements pertaining to trade policies. The increased role of the EP in this regard however means that the member states can be united under the EP. Unification under one parliament ensures the political integration of the states. This may be beneficial for the European Union to establish itself as a global actor, as Langenhove (2008) discusses. However, as Woolcock (2008) relates, the EP does not have any real powers that directly affect the negotiations in the trade agreements. Although the consent of the parliament is required at the final stage, the parliament cannot ensure that the negotiations carried out are in the favour of all of the member states. The fact that the European council can elect its own President through a quantified voting process is also a factor that may lead the EU to increased political integration. The role of the President would be chair the proceedings of the EC and make sure that the work of the EC is carried forward. This aspect of the Lisbon Treaty would ensure that the objectives of the EC are fulfilled. According to Harrison (2007), the European Council was first introduced as a body that could allow for a platform for the member states where they could have the freedom to discuss the major political questions. Since the European Union consists of member states that are subject to the same legal system, the same institutional arrangements and similar government policies, the presence of a President of the European Council would help these member states to unite under the European Council. The election of a President can help the EC to achieve the objectives that it was initially introduced for. Also, the presence of a President can help tackle the problems that were existent due to a large number of the member states. The aspect of the Treaty that relates to the election of the President and the increased role of the parliament would make certain that the members of the EC and the Members of the EP (MEPs) are more powerful, as Tobbler and Benglinger (2010) relate. Since both the council and the parliament are platforms through which the MEPs and the MECs can interact, it is likely that certain decisions made by the EC and the EP lead to a more democratic EU. Although there are people, as Harrison (2007) suggests, who may term this increased power as ‘politicisation’, there are chances that the decisions made by these members hold certain members of the EU democratically accountable. This can help certify that the policies designed by the EU do not focus on the interests on just a particular number of the member states. The making and implementation of fair policies on part of the EU this way can keep all the member states united under the Union. Conclusion To conclude, the Lisbon Treaty is likely to affect the political and economic integration processes of the European Union. The increased role of the EP and the power of the election of a President for the EC would ensure that the national parliaments have lesser powers. With the national parliaments having fewer powers, there is a chance for the member states to integrate politically under the EP and the EC. Obviously there are factors that may hinder the objective of political integration. Nevertheless, the terms of the Treaty are designed in such a way that they would ultimately lead to a political integration. The economic integration of the states is also ensured by the policies relating to the competence of the EU in matters relating to trade, particularly the Foreign Direct Investment. Overall, the Treaty is likely to affect the processes of political and economic integration positively. References Council of the European Union. (2009). Information Note on the Treaty of Lisbon. UK. Presse Europa. (2010).Taking Europe into the 21st Century [Internet] Available from http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/index_en.htm [Accessed 5 May 2010] Harrison, D. (2007). At Europe’s Highest Level: A More Effective European Council. UK.Eva Analysis Langenhove, L & Marchesi, D. Libson. (2008). Treaty and the Emergence of Third Generation Regional Intehration. USA. University of Miami Lords, Hof.(2008).The Treaty of Lisbon: an impact assessment. UK. The Stationery Office Site Editor. (2009).The Treaty of Lisbon. Available from [Accessed 5 May, 2010] Site editor. (2010). The Libson Treaty[Internet] Available from [Accessed 5 May 2010] Tobbler, C and Benglinger, J. (2010). The EU following the Lisbon Treaty. UK. EC. Woolcock, S. (2008). The potential impact of the Lisbon Treaty on European Union External Trade Policy. Sweden. SIEPS Vis-Dunbar.(2009).The Lisbon Treaty—Implications for Europe’s International Investment Agreements. UK. ICTSD Read More