Importance of Democracy, Human Rights and Collaboration - Research Paper Example

 A discussion on ‘The shared notion of the importance of democracy, human rights and collaboration can explain European integration’ Introduction Integration of European nations to form European Union has been a slow but steady process which was backed by the determination of the nations to overcome the various internal and external challenges. The various factors vis-à-vis political environment, competitive global business environment, competition from emerging new economies of South East Asia, recessive economy and increasing issues of human rights violations have been major propellants for promoting union. The post cold war era saw the gradual decline of USSR or Russia as a superpower, leaving America with the status of the most powerful nation of the world. The increasingly dominant role of American forces in NATO, United Nations and other world organizations has considerably reduced the role of Europe in the world politics. The recent years have also seen that Europe has failed to effectively combat the adverse impact of globalization on the local population that is hit hard by the growing immigrant population. Indeed, the need for integration of Europe so as to promote a joint front with common goals has become the need of the hour. The paper would be discussing the integration of European nations as a result of shared notion of the importance of democracy, human rights and collaboration. For centuries Europe had remained one of the most powerful conglomerations of nations that had dominated other countries. But the successive World Wars had seen fragmentation of nations and domination of America. The WWI was all about power and territorial gain and had involved almost all the political powers of the world (Showalter, 1996). But WWII was primarily about the political realignment of nations with the two superpowers. The post WWII period has been witness to powerful realignment of nations where USSR and America emerged as the superpowers of the world. The survival and effectiveness of Europe as a global power with significant role had become a serious concern. Thus, the need to focus on the integration of European countries to counter the growing influence of American hegemony became of the most important element of integration. The Balkan region or major part of Eastern and central Europe was greatly influenced by the communist Russians whose economic dependency played vital role in their political alignment. During and after WWII, under the influence of USSR, Balkan region consolidated into strong communist states to counter the Allied forces led by America, Britain and France. In the post WWII period, political instability of the Central and Eastern European states was faced with huge challenges of survival, especially after the disintegration of USSR. The democratization in the former communist states of Baltic region had become imperative for diversity of reasons that had wide economic and political ramifications. The various elements of mechanisms that have an effect on social conditioning and values of the people, become major factors that influence political leaning and social outcome. The process of evolution and changes is a complex process that involves collective decision and public participation. It thus, provokes a constructive political and ideological transformation in the society, paving way for democratic values. Inglehart and Welzel (2009) argue that democratization process is significantly influenced by modernization that is accompanied by socio cultural transition in the long term. It promotes political participation and democratic values within the various socio-political institutions. It also supports more liberal and capitalistic economy as they are important facilitating agents for economic independence and development of nations. These issues and factors were important consideration for the democratization of Eastern European countries that paved way to their integration in EU. Thus it can be said that three main reasons contribute to the shift from the totalitarian regime to democracy and become critical to the development of civil society. Three main reasons are: economic independence and need for free market; political stability; and socio-cultural development of the society. These factors represent the motivation for an integrated Europe and nations in Europe are striving for collaborative efforts that would promote the success of integration. Schuman declaration also clearly states that ‘Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity’ (Nugent, 2006). The democratization of nations greatly facilitates the process of integrated Europe. Another major concern that has significantly influenced the integration process of Europe is the political conditions leading to burgeoning cases of human rights issues. The post WWII period that ultimately resulted in the disintegration of USSR was highly volatile for the Eastern European nations and saw the civil society under go the trauma and uncertainties of the imminent collapse of communism. The waning power of Russia saw the rise of vested interests in the Balkan region. The dominance of ethnic interests and conflicts of socio religious ideologies greatly fomented the strife that created a perpetual environment of political instability and violence. This led to the violation of human rights and mass scale immigration of people to the safety of other nations. Thus human right issues also became important paradigms for integration. The need to create effective environment for human right conditions are equally important. Poverty and inequitable distribution of power and wealth foster sub human conditions, making people vulnerable to exploitation. Rummel (2006) contends that democracy cannot sustain in an environment of poverty and inequality and that the environment must foster ‘willingness to negotiate, to compromise, to accommodate, and to lose’. The integrated Europe offered the strife ridden regions an opportunity to improve their socio-economic conditions through development of amicable relations with rest of Europe for creating better environment for economic cooperation. The membership was subject to the improved human right conditions within the nations aspiring to become part of integration process. Another reason that motivated the integration was the increase in terrorism. The state terrorism was especially a major threat to the peaceful co-existence. In such a scenario, while integration offered collective actions and measures against terrorism in all its formats, it also gave the truant nations an opportunity to improve their socio-economic conditions through internal reforms in the area of human rights and liberalization of economic policies. The globalization is another factor that has brought in a new approach to international political economy. It has brought up emerging economies like India, China and Brazil on the map of fast growing economic units (Powell, 1990). The new age communication has further facilitated trade and opened opportunities for capital accumulation through more secular distribution of power structure. Indeed, the environmental factors have significantly influenced the formation of a new political equation which is intrinsically connected through the new technologies and interdependent market forces. The emerging economies are increasingly utilizing the same to become major stakeholders in the global trade and commerce. Thus, the need to meet the challenges of the new economic global dynamics has made integration essential. An integrated Europe founded on the principles of collective goals and common economic policy offers an effective remedy through the concept of single market and creates an environment of competition within and outside the European Union. The collective bargaining power of the integrated Europe gives it a huge competitive advantage in the world economy, especially in the context of trade and collaborative efforts against new economies. The economic and legal framework of the integrated Europe ensures that powerful business houses are not able to use their power as bargaining tool to stifle competition from smaller firms (Encaoua and Hollander, 2002). The anti-competitive practices are important elements of free and fair business practice that provide equity based background for economic transactions of businesses across Europe. The European Union consolidates the economic powers of the member nations through various mechanisms like removal of trade barrier within the member countries; free movements of goods, capital, labour and services; common regulatory body and common external trade restrictions (Suranovic, 1998). The centralized institutions uphold common economic policies and interests that go beyond the interests of individual nations and encompass the wider interests of consolidated union as a whole. The increased competitiveness within the member countries helps in the expansion of market and encourages variety in the goods and services. The common economic policies also ensure that the external economic units like America and emerging economies of Asia are not able to exploit the member nations. The integrated Europe not only safeguards the economic welfare of the member nations but also gives them the necessary guidelines and legal format for forging alliances and collaboration with global entities. It can thus be concluded that the integration of Europe and formation of EU was a major step towards a stronger Europe because it not only promoted a balance of power but could also counter the dominance of America and emerging economies as it controls the major part of world economy through strong market forces that are spread wide. These issues are major incentives for creating an integrated Europe and became more and more attractive for nations to come together for collective actions. The economic integration was a strong motive because economic stability of the nations greatly facilitates development of society and raises standard of living. Hence, Europe must reassert itself as significant power through referendum and common goals. It must join hands in evolving global values and collective goals that go beyond regional interests (Habermas, 2010). The changing dynamics of world politics and the rapid globalization process has made it imperative that instead of segregating values and focusing on individual interests, Europe must strive for a united front based on mutual interest and sharing of resources. (1580) Reference David Encaoua & Abraham Hollander, 2002. "Competition Policy and Innovation," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 18(1), pages 63-79, Spring. Inglehart Ronald and Christian Welzel. (2009). How Development Leads to Democracy? What We Know About Modernization. Foreign Affairs 88.2, 33-48. Nugent, Neill. (2006). The government and the Politics of European Union. 6th ed. Palgrave Macmillan, UK. Habermas, Jurgen. (March 10, 2006). Towards a United States of Europe. Available from: [Accessed 2 June, 2009]. Powell, Walter W. (1990). Neither Market Nor Hierarchy. 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