Assignment 1 (2018): Ideology

Helping you to get sufficient information and knowledge on the ideas, ideology and targets of the political group you belong to, so that the proposals, discussions, debates and voting on Thursday are based upon a correct insight in political choices, checks and balances.

1.3 Output - Deadline - Evaluation of the report

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• Per political group one report

• Max 1500 words (font type: Arial, font size: 11 px)

• Cover page should mention name and number of the group and names of the group members

• Tuesday 6 March at 13.00h

• Correct reference to used sources

• All assignments are equally weighted

• Groups score but can be adapted in relation to individual contribution

1.4 Content

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Make sure the report describes and articulates:

• general information on what the group stands for from a political point of view

  • (e.g. in which direction should the EU evolve: towards a pure economic union or towards a political union…)

  • the group’s position on strengthening the EU.

  • Should the member states transfer more powers and competences to the EU or the other way round,

  • because the member states already gave too much power to the EU...

• General ideas on economy, social matters, human rights;

  • specific ideas on e-commerce, e-business, social media, data protection and privacy.

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• The political groups work and function in the global EU framework that is framed and influenced by the institutional procedures between the Commission, the European Council, the Council of Ministers and the Parliament itself.

• These institutions agreed during the European Council of 23-24 March 2000 in Lisbon on the Lisbon Strategy [1], also known as the Lisbon Agenda or Lisbon Process. In 2010 the Lisbon strategy was replace by the 2020 strategy [2] also an action and development plan for the European Union.

• In conclusion, it is of great importance that you discover what the different political parties in the EP strive for concerning Intellectual Property Law, Privacy and e-conomy in general and Social Media in specific.

1.5.1. Lisbon Strategy

The overall strategic goal for the EU described in the Lisbon strategy was: ‘to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion’.

When they met in Lisbon ten years ago, the Heads of State and Government of the EU unanimously endorsed the strategy. The aims and goals were uncontroversial. The EU was lagging behind the US in most technical and scientific fields. As a consequence, the per capita income gap had remained undiminished for a quarter of a century. The diagnosis was also well put. Too many policy objectives and institutions are not wed to excellence. Too many people are jobless and therefore do not produce any value added. The declaration focused on the knowledge society and lamented undersized R&D efforts, both public and private. The Heads of State and Government dedicated themselves to eliminating these roadblocks by 2010.

(Source: Charles WYPLOSZ, The failure of the Lisbon Strategy, VOX - Research-based policy analysis and commentary from leading economists, http://www.voxeu.org/article/failure-lisbon-strategy)

The Lisbon Strategy set specific targets.

• an overall employment rate of 70% by 2010

• an employment rate for women of over 60%

• an employment rate of 50% among older workers

• annual economic growth around 3%

Source: SYNDICAT OF EUROPEAN TRADE UNION, The EU’s Lisbon Strategy, http://www.etuc.org/a/652

See also: European Parliament, Lisbon Strategy 2000-2010, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/document/activities/cont/201107/20110718ATT24270/20110718ATT24270EN.pdf

1.5.2. 2020 Strategy

The Europe 2020 strategy is a plan for economic renewal. It was adopted in June 2010, replacing the Lisbon strategy (2000-2010). By 2020, the new strategy aims to guide Europe's economy out of the economic recession which began in 2008. The 2020 strategy aims to create jobs, and encourage 'green' economic growth and create an inclusive society. The strategy's 5 targets include

1. Employment: 75% of the 20-64 year-olds to be employed

2. R&D: 3% of the EU's GDP to be invested in R&D

3. Climate change and energy sustainability

4. - greenhouse gas emissions 20% (or even 30%, if conditions are right) lower than 1990

5. - 20% of energy from renewables

6. - 20% increase in energy efficiency

7. Education

8. - Reducing the rates of early school leaving below 10%

9. - at least 40% of 30-34–year-olds completing third level education

10. Fighting poverty and social exclusion: at least 20 million fewer people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion

Source: European Commission, 2020 strategy, http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm; see also: CIVITAS – EU Facts, The Europe 2020 strategy, http://www.civitas.org.uk/eufacts/FSECON/EC12.htm

1.5.3. Digital Single Market

One of the 2020 initiatives from the Commission is the ‘Digital Single Market": The internet and digital technologies are transforming our world. But existing barriers online mean citizens miss out on goods and services, internet companies and start-ups have their horizons limited, and businesses and governments cannot fully benefit from digital tools. It's time to make the EU's single market fit for the digital age – tearing down regulatory walls and moving from 28 national markets to a single one. This could contribute €415 billion per year to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. (Digital Single Market: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/priorities/digital-single-market_en )

At February 28th 2014 during the Cyber Security Conference, Neelie KROES Commissioner responsible for the Digital Agenda at thetime, said:

Digital technologies are changing our world. Today we are already seeing the difference it makes. From cars to classrooms; from payments to power stations. And this offers huge opportunities for citizens, the society and the economy.

I often focus on the economic opportunities: and they are significant. The Internet economy generates over one fifth of our growth; 200 million Europeans buy online each year.

But it's more than economic. It is also for true believers. As Pope Francis put it recently: good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and to grow in unity; in his own words, the Internet is a "gift from God".

Source: Neelie KROES, Secure online network for Europe, EU Press releases database, http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-167_en.htm

More information:

• European Commission, Setting Europe’s Digital Agenda, http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en

• European Commission, Justice, http://ec.europa.eu/policies/justice_citizens_rights_en.htm

• Digital Single Market: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/priorities/digital-single-market_en

• Data Protection, http://ec.europa.eu/justice/data-protection/index_en.htm