Role of the European Union - Article Example

Introduction The European Union was established on November 1, 2009 under the Maastricht Treaty, based on the foundation of the previously existing European Economic Community (Craig, Grainne & Craig, 2006). Initially remitted mainly with free trade in steel and coal, the union’s policy concern has extended to include monetary, security, agricultural, environmental, regional, foreign, social, immigration matters, among others. Moreover, the political role of the union has extended as the union enlarges and restructures itself as well as it becomes a significant force in world the affairs. This paper examines various political discourse credited to the union, and its economic achievement and development with an aim of simplifying if it has been primarily either a political or an economic project. It is substantial to say that the European Union has been a platform for advancement of various political agendas of its member country. The political discourse The political aspects of the European Union are apparent with numerous events that have contributed to the union increasing inclination to political agendas. Many of its debates have featured political agendas such as its formation, membership, size, mandate, organization, and influence. In fact, the union is based on treaties that spell out its powers, institutions, and law. Numerous treaties have been created (Europa). Even after the discussions and agreements that gave rise to the Maastricht Treaty, agreements that that resulted to the reorganization of the previously established European Community and the creation of the union, there are still discussions and various activities that are aimed at enhancing the union’s structure and functionality; these activities are purely political. The European Constitution, which is an international treaty meant to establish a common constitution for union has subjected the union as well as member countries into undue and uncertain political process. Since the union’s procedure for ratification of its laws allows member countries to seek approval from their citizens, Netherlands and France had to conduct referendums where, unfortunately, the proposal for the constitution was rebuffed (British Broadcasting Corporation, 2005). This is an indication of the political nature of the European Union. Furthermore, other member countries including Finland, Slovakia, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain had to undergo through political procedures necessary for the ratification of the constitution. The Lisbon Treaty is an examples of the union involvement in political matters, and in particular issues concerning human rights. It is known that human rights issues draw a lot of political debate. Nonetheless, one of the agenda of the union is protection of human rights through the guidance of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Some of the debates by the union’s European Council include the formation of military force. This decision was reached at after the 1999 Kosovo War, where it was necessary for the union to have the capability and be ready for autonomous action as well as the means for deciding on using military force. In effect, numerous activities have emphasized the build up of the union’s military capacity, for instance, the Helsinki Headline Goal Process. Moreover, further discussions resulted with the European Union’s Battle-groups project that set a figure of 1500 persons as an average which each group would be capable of deploying when needed (Europa). It is worth to note that the European Union forces have been used in peacekeeping initiatives in several developing regions including Middle East, Yugoslavia and Africa (Europa). Other union’s discussions have featured issues such as the ideal location of the European Parliament; that is, whether Strasbourg and Brussels are suitable (British Broadcasting Corporation, 2005). The expansion of the European Union's in terms of member states, and the maximum number that should form the union are key political issue that often yield dispute among the existing members. For instance, the applications of United Kingdom in both 1961 and 1967 to become a member of the union were rejected, especially due to the efforts of the former French President, Charles de Gaulle who vetoed the country (Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2009). The reasons for the veto by the French leader were mainly political (Bomberg, Peterson & Stubb, 2008) especially considering the economic potential of the United Kingdom market. The union has also played a key role in foreign policy matters through its Common Foreign and Security Policy. The High Representative, Javier Solana, who is responsible for coordinating matters regarding the policy has become a key political figures (Europa, 2002). He not only represents the union’s foreign policy agenda to the worlds, but is in charge of the European Defence Agency, the Western European Union, and the Council. In formulating and implementing policies, the Common Foreign and Security Policy stipulates that all the member states should agree unanimously on the appropriate course to take regarding a particular agenda. However, given this condition for unanimity and the difficulties of certain matters, it is not unusual for disagreements to arise; such disagreements were witnessed during the United States war against Iraq (British Broadcasting Corporation, 2003). In addition to the emerging international policy, the union’s influence on the international political scene is also being experienced as a result of its enlargement. The perception of the union as a necessary platform that benefits its members has elevated its role as an incentive for countries implement political reforms. Any European country wishing to join the union must first meet the criteria stipulated by the union, which include aspects such as adherence to democratic principles and respect for human rights. These conditions have contributed immensely to the reformation of countries, especially in Eastern and Central Europe, that were formerly communist (British Foreign and Commonwealth Office). This phenomenon where the union alters other countries internal affairs without the use of military has come to be known generally as “soft power” (Bildt, 2005). Its functioning as well as its institutions are remarkably characteristic of political set ups. The institutions include the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Council. The roles of the Commission, for instance, includes maintaining command over the agencies, proposing and drafting legislation, and making sure laws are followed; roles that are evidently political in nature. Furthermore, its leadership adopts such names as the President, the Directorate-Generals, and the Commissioners, and whose roles are comparable to those of the Prime Minister, Ministries, and Minister of a country (Europa). Similarly, the European Council provides a political platform for union; it provides “the impetus for the major political issues relating to European integration”, and “serves as a forum for top-level political discussion in crisis situations” (Europa). The Council as well as the Parliament constitute the legislative arm of the union, a role which is also political. Additionally, the European Union features elements that are mainly political such as political parties. The Union recognizes political parties of every member nation that are organized at the European level. Although these groupings do not result to the formation of a government, they are significant in electing the European Parliament’s President. Moreover, elections are an integral aspect of the union with parliament representation arranged into constituencies, a typical political arrangement for various countries. It is arguable that such political arrangements are vital in furthering economic agendas, especially, in an arrangement such as this where countries with various political systems and beliefs are involved. The European Union has had enormous economic achievements and developments in the face of its political events. Economic achievements and developments One of the apparent economic achievements of the European Union is the consolidation of the 27 members states market into a common market. The implication to this set up is that members countries have various advantages over other nations while trading with each. Moreover, the union provides a sound platform upon which countries are able to solve amicably various issues impeding trade among themselves. The implications of a common market are appealing. For instance, the gross domestic product of the European Union is the highest standing at $15,292.99billion in 2008; this is way greater than the United States’ $14,334.03 billion (International Monetary Fund, 2008). What is more, the union has managed to eliminate many trade barriers by allowing free movement of goods, services, people and capital among members nations. It is worth to note that the member states are represented in the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a single entity. The European Union is the largest world exporter (Central Intelligence Agency, 2009). Another achievement is the establishment of the Eurozone and the creation of a common currency, Euro. The currency is widely used, having been implemented in 16 members states, with several others members states finalising the process of adopting it. In fact, five other European nations use the Euro, with more than 170 million people globally using other currencies that are attached to the it. What is more, the currency is second in terms of both the most traded and the largest currency reserve in the world following the United States dolla (Bank for International Settlements, 2007). Basing on the November 2008 exchange rate of €1 = US$1.2694 (International Monetary Fund, 2008) and data available at the time, the Euro has the highest total value (of about € 751 billion) in terms of the cash in circulation worldwide, surpassing that of the United States dollar (Atkins, 2006; The European Central Bank, 2008). Additionally, the union has created the European Central Bank, which has mandate to set craft monetary policies. The European Central Bank, having adopted the Bundesbank model, is independent and free from national government pressures that often cause high inflation (De Haan, 2000). In this respect, the European Central Bank is able to keep inflation low (De Haan, 2000), ensuring macro-economic stability and thus various other benefits. The European Union has also a policy on competition that maintains order in the market by solving antitrust issues, disintegrating cartels, promoting economic liberalization, and justifying mergers. Some notable actions regarding this policy are the prevention of the merger between the United States’ Honeywell and General Electric (Europa, 2001), and the fining of Microsoft Corporation of €777 million for economic injustices (Gow, 2007). Through the Common Agricultural Policy, the union has been able to promote agriculture in the member states with 35% of its budget going to the sector (Stead & Robert, 2007). Furthermore, the policy has enabled increase in agricultural production, certainty on supplies of food, high standard of living for farmers, rational consumer prices, and stable markets (Stead & Robert, 2007). For instance, the union has given subsidies to farmers during situations of overproduction that have resulted to plummeting downward of their produce prices. The union has also implemented various measures that have allowed it to control productions and promote the agriculture sector (Stead & Robert, 2007). The European Union has also focused on cross-border infrastructure development. One notable example is the Trans-European Networks project that includes include the LGV Est, the Channel Tunnel, the Fréjus Rail Tunnel, Brenner Base Tunnel, and the Oresund Bridge. It is estimated that the network will extend to about 46,700 miles (75,200 kilometres) of roads and 48,000 miles (78,000 kilometres) of railways as well as include 210 internal harbours, 270 maritime harbours, and 330 airports (European Commission, 2003). In addition, the union has initiated measures to uplift the underdeveloped member states in terms development. In this respect, the European Union has established Cohesion Funds as well as Structural Funds to aid the development of these European Union’s nations. Additionally, various funds have contributed to emergency support as well as aid potential member states in the process of implementing reforms to match the standards - such as Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (SAPARD), Instrumental for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession (ISPA), Poland and Hungry Assistance for Restructuring the Economies (Phare), and Technical Aid to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS) - set up by the union. These funds are important in building the economies of the countries involved. Conclusion The European Union discourse have featured to a large extent political agendas. These political discussions are mainly on organization and functioning of the union including its membership, size and scope of operation. In fact, the structure as well as several roles of the union vested in various of its institutions are characteristic of the typical political set ups, more so the political organizations. Additionally, the union’s roles and activities have featured foreign matters that are fundamentally political. In general, the union has had in its agendas matters that are purely political. It can be argued, however, that the these political objectives go hand in hand with economic objectives, especially in this scenario where the involved parties are politically constituted. On the other hand the European Union has made great strides as far as economic achievements and developments are concerned. First, it has managed to create a single market for 27 independent states with the subsequent establishment of a common currency, the Euro that has been adopted in 16 countries and is linked to many other nations worldwide. Its creation of a central bank has allowed control f inflation of its currency. Moreover, the union has been instrumental in development of the agricultural sector in its members states, infrastructure, and other economic other economic development. With these facts, it is substantial to say that the European Union has remained mainly an economic project, even though it characterized by various political elements. It can be argued that these elements are necessary as pillars for promoting economic objectives. For instance, without peace and stability in a country, it is difficult to realize economic growth and prosperity. 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(2005): EU admits constitution is on ice, BBC News Online, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4268094.stm British Broadcasting Corporation. (2005): Varied reasons behind Dutch 'No', BBC News Online, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4601731.stm British Broadcasting Corporation. (2007): Q&A: EU enlargement, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2266385.stm. British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. EU enlargement - voices from the debate, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1139992114487. Central Intelligence Agency, (2009): Country comparison - Exports, The World Fact Book, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2078rank.html. Craig, P., Grainne, D. & Craig, P. P. 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European Council, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from http://europa.eu/european_council/index_en.htm Europa. The European Commission, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/comm/index_en.htm. Europa. Treaties and law, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from http://europa.eu/abc/treaties/index_en.htm European Commission. (2003): The trans-European transport network - new guidelines and financial rules, retrieved on May 7, 2009 from http://ec.europa.eu/ten/transport/revision/doc/revision_1692_memo_en.pdf. European Commission. Sources of EU law, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/general_information/legal_information_and_eu_law/sources_eu_law/index_en.htm. FCO. (2009): EU history, retrieved on May 6, 2009 from http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/institutions/britain-in-the-european-union/quick-guide-to-the-eu/what-is-the-eu/eu-history. Gow, D. 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Moreover, further discussions resulted with the European Union’s Battle-groups project that set a figure of 1500 persons as an average which each group would be capable of deploying when needed (Europa). It is worth to note that the European Union forces have been used in peacekeeping initiatives in several developing regions including Middle East, Yugoslavia and Africa (Europa). Other union’s discussions have featured issues such as the ideal location of the European Parliament; that is, whether Strasbourg and Brussels are suitable (British Broadcasting Corporation, 2005).

The expansion of the European Union's in terms of member states, and the maximum number that should form the union are key political issue that often yield dispute among the existing members. For instance, the applications of United Kingdom in both 1961 and 1967 to become a member of the union were rejected, especially due to the efforts of the former French President, Charles de Gaulle who vetoed the country (Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2009). The reasons for the veto by the French leader were mainly political (Bomberg, Peterson & Stubb, 2008) especially considering the economic potential of the United Kingdom market.

The union has also played a key role in foreign policy matters through its Common Foreign and Security Policy. The High Representative, Javier Solana, who is responsible for coordinating matters regarding the policy has become a key political figures (Europa, 2002). He not only represents the union’s foreign policy agenda to the worlds, but is in charge of the European Defence Agency, the Western European Union, and the Council. In formulating and implementing policies, the Common Foreign and Security Policy stipulates that all the member states should agree unanimously on the appropriate course to take regarding a particular agenda.

However, given this condition for unanimity and the difficulties of certain matters, it is not unusual for disagreements to arise; such disagreements were witnessed during the United States war against Iraq (British Broadcasting Corporation, 2003). In addition to the emerging international policy, the union’s influence on the international political scene is also being experienced as a result of its enlargement. The perception of the union as a necessary platform that benefits its members has elevated its role as an incentive for countries implement political reforms.

Any European country wishing to join the union must first meet the criteria stipulated by the union, which include aspects such as adherence to democratic principles and respect for human rights. These conditions have contributed immensely to the reformation of countries, especially in Eastern and Central Europe, that were formerly communist (British Foreign and Commonwealth Office). This phenomenon where the union alters other countries internal affairs without the use of military has come to be known generally as “soft power” (Bildt, 2005).

Its functioning as well as its institutions are remarkably characteristic of political set ups. The institutions include the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Council. The roles of the Commission, for instance, includes maintaining command over the agencies, proposing and drafting legislation, and making sure laws are followed; roles that are evidently political in nature. Furthermore, its leadership adopts such names as the President, the Directorate-Generals, and the Commissioners, and whose roles are comparable to those of the Prime Minister, Ministries, and Minister of a country (Europa).

Similarly, the European Council provides a political platform for union; it provides “the impetus for the major political issues relating to European integration”, and “serves as a forum for top-level political discussion in crisis situations” (Europa). The Council as well as the Parliament constitute the legislative arm of the union, a role which is also political.

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