In 1973 Ireland joined the European Economic Community along with the United Kingdom and Denmark. The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries. The predecessor of the EU was created in the aftermath of the Second World War. The first steps were to foster economic cooperation: the idea being that countries that trade with one another become economically interdependent and so more likely to avoid conflict. The result was the European Economic Community, created in 1958 with the initial aim of increasing economic cooperation between six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Since then, 22 more countries joined (and the United Kingdom left the EU in 2020) and a huge single market (also known as the ‘internal’ market) has been created and continues to develop towards its full potential. What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organisation spanning many different policy areas, from climate, environment and health to external relations and security, justice and migration. A name change from the European Economic Community to the European Union in 1993 reflected this. The EU has delivered more than half a century of peace, stability and prosperity, helped raise living standards and launched a single European currency: the euro. More than 340 million EU citizens in 19 countries now use it as their currency and enjoy its benefits.
Thanks to the abolition of border controls between EU countries, people can travel freely throughout most of the continent. And it has become much easier to live and work in another country in Europe. All EU citizens have the right and freedom to choose in which EU country they want to study, work or retire. Every EU country must treat EU citizens in exactly the same way as its own citizens when it comes to matters of employment, social security and tax.The EU’s main economic engine is the single market. It enables most goods, services, money and people to move freely. The EU aims to develop this huge resource to other areas like energy, knowledge and capital markets to ensure that Europeans can draw the maximum benefit from it. The EU remains focused on making its governing institutions more transparent and democratic. Decisions are taken as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizen. More powers have been given to the directly elected European Parliament, while national parliaments play a greater role, working alongside the European institutions. The EU is governed by the principle of representative democracy, with citizens directly represented at EU level in the European Parliament and Member States represented in the European Council and the Council of the EU. European citizens are encouraged to contribute to the democratic life of the EU by giving their views on EU policies during their development or by suggesting improvements to existing laws and policies. The European Citizens’ Initiative Empowers citizens to have a greater say on EU policies that affect their lives. Citizens can also submit complaints and enquiries concerning the application of EU law.
As enshrined in the Treaty on European Union, ‘the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail’. These values are an integral part of the European way of life. Human dignity must be respected, protected and constitutes the real basis of fundamental rights. Being a European citizen also means enjoying political rights. Every adult EU citizen has the right to stand as a candidate and to vote in elections to the European Parliament, whether in their country of residence or country of origin. Equality is about equal rights for all citizens before the law. The principle of equality between women and men underpins all European policies and is the basis for European integration. It applies in all areas. The EU is based on the rule of law. Everything the EU does is founded on treaties, which are voluntarily and democratically agreed by its member countries. Law and justice are upheld by an independent judiciary. The EU countries have given final jurisdiction in matters of EU law to the European Court of Justice, whose judgments have to be respected by all. Human rights are protected by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. These cover the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, the right to the protection of your personal data, and the right to get access to justice.
In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. Europe was in a terrible condition in 1946. There were two bloody wars that the continent had fought in just one generation, with both conflicts escalating to global status. Some of the countries had been at war with each other consistently for centuries. Many of the relationships were strained. The leaders at the time decided that the best way to prevent a third conflict would be to find a way to cooperate. Six nations came together to start cooperating in the product of steel and coal to create more economic opportunities for one another. By 1967, the European Community was able to form as a method of administration for these industries. It would then start to grow in the 1970s as new members joined the coalition, giving citizens an opportunity to elect officials for the first time in 1972.It would only take another 20 years for this group to agree on even closer cooperation, which is when the European Community would become the European Union. The historic agreement that formed this relationship was established by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992.Cooperation often leads to a number of different advantages, but the European Union does have some struggles to review as well. Here are the critical points to review with this structure.
1. The European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression.
The past 50 years in Europe have been some of the most peaceful out of the last 1,000 years of history. There have been fewer wars fought on the continent then at any time since the reign of the Roman Empire over the region. The European Union creates stability because all of the nations belonging to the agreement (or NATO) work together for their mutual good. Although this does increase their operating costs because there are domestic and international governments which require funding, it makes everyone safer as well. Europe has always had to balance the extremes in the past, from economics to religion, and that has not always been successful. Now that everyone is in economic cooperation at some level, the EU makes the smaller countries become international competitors.
2. There are more jobs and higher wages across Europe because of the EU.
Even with the uncertainty of the Brexit circumstances ongoing, there are more employment opportunities, better wages, and a higher-skill workforce available in Europe today because of the EU. Because there are 28 different countries that are part of this governing body, they can create a single market together which gives them more scale to use when negotiating international trade deals.
This advantage makes it easier for local producers to export their items at a fair price while receiving imports as needed that don’t break their budget. About 10% of the jobs in Europe are directly linked to the EU right now, and that doesn’t even count the import-export positions which exist.
3. The European Union takes eco-friendly policies seriously.
When one European nation decides to manage the environment more effectively, then they can make a small impact with their eco-friendly stance. If all 28 members come together to follow the same policies, then it can be a process which helps to change the world. Before the EU became a formalized government, about half of the areas on the continent met water quality standards. Now that figure is well above 90%.Communities are putting in the resources necessary to rebuild their ancient squares, clean up their beaches, and create safe areas for exploration. Public transportation options are becoming more available. Even dedicated bike paths and lanes help to keep costs down in the EU. These benefits are also something that tourists love to see, which means they are more likely to come and spend money there.
4. Industrialization’s evolution has evolved dramatically because of the European Union.
During the rebuilding years in Europe after World War II, food was scarce and jobs were rare. Even the assistance provided by the Americans was not enough in some countries to help make ends meet. By 1951, the times dictated a cooperative relationship to help the continent get back onto its feet. Just six years after the conclusion of the war, Italy, Germany, and France (former enemies) came together with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg to create an economic pact that helped to re-industrialize the continent. This relationship became the foundation of the European Union because of the stipulations that were in place to maintain this lucrative membership. There had to be a guaranteed democracy, respect for human rights, the ability to introduce competition, and financial resources to meet the obligations of the relationship. It is this path that the current EU follows as well.
5. It stops the aggression from other countries outside of Europe.
The European Union creates a security profile that helps to share resources, including intelligence and military training, which proactively prevents other countries from taking advantage of the smaller size of most countries on the continent. Russia is large enough that it could swallow most of Europe without a second thought if each one was forced to defend itself independently. Now that NATO and other alliances keep the cooperative security profile intact at all times, there is less incentive for other players to try to take advantage of the continent’s structure. The presence of the EU works to negate the ability of one leader, like Adolf Hitler, from conducting surprise attacks that could kill thousands before anyone knew what was happening.
6. The European Union allows for resources to be invested instead of fought over.
Up until the 16th century, the largest countries of Europe were often engaged in battle with one another. Some were even trying to manage internal conflicts and civil unrest while battling their adversaries at the same time. There were some 50-year periods in the past where these countries were always at war without a break. Now these countries have avoided problems with each other for over 20 years thanks to the presence of the European Union, with no threat of an internal conflict on the horizon either. That’s not to say that there aren’t disagreements in Europe. There are plenty of them. The difference with the EU is that now these arguments run through the political spectrum instead of being settled by the military.
7. The EU makes it easier for people to travel all over the world.
If you live in the European Union, then you may have access to what is called a Schengen Visa. About 15 million people currently use this travel document, which is similar to what an Enhanced Driver’s License is in North America, to visit other countries on the continent. With this documentation, you can travel to any other country or territory in the EU which recognizes it without the need for a more formal passport Because there are still territories held in the Caribbean and South America that still fall under the governing of the European Union, this advantage makes it possible to see the world without going through an extensive security process. If you plan to work, live, or study in a country for more than 90 days, then you’ll need additional paperwork. The only other place in the world that offers this level of free access consistently is the United States, where one entry visa gives you access to the states and territories under its control.
8. The economic benefits of the European Union extend to the rest of the world.
Because Europe comes together in the EU to become an economic force for trade, the value of the import-export industry all over the world benefits from their presence. Smaller nations can take advantage of better market access since they can make one deal to trade with 28 countries instead of separate contracts with each one. China and the U.S. can trade with Europe as equal partners while Europe benefits from a bigger scale and better pricing options. This advantage makes it possible to add more value to each trade, increase job opportunities, develop new international relationships, and have access to more opportunities.
9. The presidency of the EU rotates every six months.
No one country can dominate the political spectrum in the European Union because every nation gets an opportunity to resident in the presidency. Romania took over this spot for the first time in January 2019. This process ensures that Europe cannot fall into the same peril that the individual nations did so long ago. It is an advantage which also means each country can ensure that it has a say in the formation of new rules and regulations that can impact the entire continent.
Cost. The costs of EU membership to the UK is £15bn gross (0.06% of GDP) – or £6.883 billion net. See UK government spending. (UKIP claims that the cost of EU membership in total amounts to £83bn gross if you include all possible costs, such as an ‘estimated’ £48bn of regulation costs – or £1,380 per head [1]. The ONS has estimated a net contribution cost of £7.1 bn.
Inefficient policies. A large percentage (40%) of EU spending goes on the Common Agricultural Policy. For many years this distorted agricultural markets by placing minimum prices on food. This leads to higher prices for consumers and encouraging oversupply. Reforms to CAP have reduced, but not eliminated this wastage. A significant existing problem with CAP is that it has rewarded large land-owners, with little reflection of social benefit. See: Transfer of funds from poor to rich landowners (Guardian) Though the UK is guilty of rejecting limits on CAP.
Problems of the Euro. Membership of the EU doesn’t necessarily mean membership of the Euro. But, the EU has placed great emphasis on the single currency. However, it has proved to have many problems and contributed to low rates of economic growth and high unemployment across the EU. Fortunately, the UK stayed out of the Euro.
Pressure towards austerity. Since 2008, many southern European countries have faced pressure from the EU to pursue austerity – spending cuts to meet budget deficit targets, but in the middle of a recession these austerity measures have contributed to prolonged economic stagnation. In particular, Greece was forced by its creditors to accept austerity, when some economists have argued this is counter-productive.
Net migration. Free movement of labour has caused problems of overcrowding in some UK cities. The UK’s population is set to rise to 70 million over the next decade, partly due to immigration (of which 50% is from the EU and 50% from non-EU). Immigration has helped to push up house prices and led to congestion on roads. (See: immigration and housing) The concern is that in the EU, the UK is powerless to place a limit on immigration from Eastern Europe because free movement of labour is a cornerstone of the EU.
More bureaucracy, less democracy. It is argued that the EU has created extra layers of bureaucracy while taking away the decision-making process further from local communities. For example, the British Chambers of Commerce has estimated that the annual cost to the UK of EU regulation is £7.4bn. The introduction of Qualified majority voting (QMV) means that on many decisions votes can be taken against the public interest of a particular country.