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The Essential European Union

The Essential European Union. First things first…. The EU is a Supranational Organization consisting of 28 individual nations. Initially started in 1951 as a cooperative between 6 nations over the coal and steel industries.

jermaine-huffman
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The Essential European Union

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  1. The EssentialEuropean Union

  2. First things first… • The EU is a Supranational Organization consisting of 28 individual nations. • Initially started in 1951 as a cooperative between 6 nations over the coal and steel industries. • Treaty of Rome 1957 signed by 6 governments (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands) begins to expand and define this relationship.

  3. Important Dates • 1957 – Treaty of Rome ( Beginning of modern EU) • 1991 – Treaty of Maastricht signed (European citizenship & common economic policy) • 2002 – Euro launched • 2007 – Treaty of Lisbon

  4. Broadening & Deepening(New Members) & (New Powers)

  5. 3 Pillars Create a common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs (Social) Trade and Economic Policy

  6. So know you have…

  7. The E.U. InstitutionsDecision Making Triangle of EU • The European Parliament (751 members) • The Council of the Union (28 members) • Council of Ministers • European Council (Bigwigs) meet 4X per year for general goal setting • The European Commission (28 members) plus a large bureacracy

  8. European Commission • Turns general goals (from European Council) into proposed policy. • Initiates & Implements policy – similar to the Executive Branch of the USA. • Members of the EC are appointed by the member countries governments. Undemocratic process • They then become (supposedly) independent of their home countries and employed by the EU.

  9. The Council of the Union • Represent the individual Nation States of the European Union. • 2 Parts (Council of Ministers & European Council) • European Council (David Cameron for UK) meets @ 4 X per year to set BROAD goals. • Council of Ministers (rotating group from each country – for instance it might be the country’s Finance Minister if the issue is Financial) actually pass laws along with European Parliament (Co-decision making)

  10. European Parliament • This is a Democratically elected body (increases legitimacy) of MEPs. • There are 751 members in total that are elected for 5 year terms. Representation is proportional to population with individual countries sending anywhere from 6 to 96 members. • Pass Laws along with The Council. • Responsible along with The Council for budgets

  11. Unanimity • The Treaty of Lisbon limited the areas that required UNANIMOUS agreement between the countries of the EU. • EG – admittance of a New member

  12. Qualified Majority Voting • Complicated – Yes • Basically aligned or weighted with population. • 55% of votes from at least 15 of the EU nations representing at least 65% of the Eus total population. • Simple Right?

  13. Democratic Deficit? • Why may some EU citizens feel “disconnected” from the EU?????

  14. European Court of Justice

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