European constitutional politics and contingency: the European Union as a 'sui generis' political entity
In: Parliament and Europe: rhetorical and conceptual studies on their contemporary connections, S. 95-109
In: Parliament and Europe: rhetorical and conceptual studies on their contemporary connections, S. 95-109
Argues that the neocorporatist model of labor politics that was initially developed by early integration theorists, & applied by particular nation-states in the 1950s & 1960s, was never realized at the European Union (EU) level -- primarily because, in contrast to the nation-state level, labor continued to be underorganized & thus could not stimulate an interaction effect between capital, the state, & itself. The underorganization of labor is traced to wide regional disparities in Europe & corresponding differences in national labor movements. Other causes for the failure of the neocorporatist model in EU integration efforts include the presence of the Council of Ministers, which worked to halt any attempt by supranational bodies to organize interests, & the strength of national corporatist efforts. Three trends indicate that the restoration of neocorporatism at either the national or supranational level is unlikely: (1) an increasing differentiation of social structures & collective interests in advanced capitalist societies; (2) market instability & volatility; & (3) changing roles & structures of interest associations. The future of interest politics at the nation-state & EU levels in light of this context is discussed. D. M. Smith
Reflection on the development of the European Union (EU) is enhanced by a chronology of pivotal historic events. Definitions of key terms are provided. The goal of examining reasons for the EU's evolution, administration, & dominant political system is stated. Other queries regard the EU's purpose, the nature of its relationship with & effect on member states, & its efficacy. A definition of the term "politics" is pursued. There is iteration of Finer's list of nation-state attributes. Exploration of the notion of legitimately exercised power includes reproduction of Beetham & Lord's set of criteria determining legality, justifiability, & legitimation. An overview of questions of governance links models of the EU, an intergovernmental model, & a supranational model. 18 References. M. C. Leary
Bromley ponders EU (European Union) nations' roles, the group's groundbreaking international cooperation, its division of political authority, & the nature of that authority's execution. Also examined are EU members' transformation through integration, the nature of the adaptive political form, & that form's possible relation to member states' politics. The demise of European imperialism is chronicled from the late 19th century through WWII. Shifts in power & alliance are evidenced by documentation of the General Agreement on Tariffs & Trade, the International Monetary Fund, & the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Discussion of the EU's implementation & governance includes the 1951 treaty establishing the European Coal & Steel Communities & the 1957 Treaties of Rome. The EU's most significant supranational aspects are explored. The complexities & possibilities arising from EU member states' deference to the group's supranational status are elucidated. Descriptive instances of conflict resolution are included, & the role of international legislative organizations is discussed. 11 References. M. C. Leary
Heffernan offers data on the trading, economic, & political power of the European Union (EU). Organizational expansion is shown by a list of historical stages in European integration. Criteria for EU membership & details of evolving enlargement are cited. An explanation of the EU's contemporary functions & characteristics includes review of the creation of the Council of Europe & events moving the organization from the ECSC (European Coal & Steel Community) to the Maastricht treaty. Examination of the EU's interdependence considers the influence of the two world wars on European integration. There is reflection on conflict over integration & development as well as intergovernmentalism & supranationalism. The question, "How is the EU governed?" delves into the European Council's functions & the European Commission's composition. Legislative & executive systems are outlined. Fast periods of integration are listed & compared with slower, more conflictive epochs. Historical perspective of the EU covers the specificity of Western Europe & the role of intergovernmental bargaining. 12 References. M. C. Leary
Bromley reiterates his original contention concerning the revelatory potential of studying the EU (European Union)'s governance. The book's discussion of divergent formats is reviewed for insight into the workings of integration. Hix's summary of the pertinent differences in intergovernmental & supranational models is quoted. An argument for the EU as a functional federal state is illustrated, & debate over characterization of the EU as a regulatory state is reviewed. Nation states are compared with the EU through first an intergovernmental, then multilevel filter. Exploration of the EU's authority & credibility turns from questions of models to arguments by Rosamond, Majone, Scharpf, & Thompson regarding regulatory function, market efficiency, redistribution, & political community. 3 Tables, 8 References. M. C. Leary
Contemplation of expansion takes into account the European Union (EU)'s original ideals. The EU's formation & growth, 1951-1995, is charted along with cautionary projections, including those made by Jacques Delors, on growth. There is discussion of the costs of enlargement, models of EU development, & the EU's commitment to & conditions for expansion. Considered consequences of enlargement include conflict over accession & the need for institutional reform. Post-Cold War integration is compared with previous conditions & with prospects for integrating current applicants. The process of reaching an agreement on new conditions for membership, 1991-1995, is reviewed. Figures on individual Eastern European countries' populations & economies are given. There is listing of EU conclusions regarding applicant states' eligibility for membership & of concerns that arose regarding issues of agriculture, single market implementation, environmental standards, transport, nuclear safety, & border disputes. Potential admission of Mediterranean countries is contemplated. Proposed shifts in the EU's practices, institutions, & policies are laid out. 2 Tables, 4 Figures, 13 References. M. C. Leary
In: The European Parliament, Intercultural Dialogue and European Neighbourhood Policy, S. 261-269
The paper "Israel in the European neighborhood policy" attempts to explain the importance of the relation EU-Israel for the security of the European Union, but also for the global security. This task will be accomplished by analyzing basic documents vital for European political architecture, such as the European Security Strategy, Strategy Paper for Israel for the period 2007-2013, or EU/Israel Action Plan. The speeches of members of European Commission about the relation of EU with Israel are also important sources of the present paper, bringing valuable ideas who successfully complete the content of EU-Israel treaties. This paper attempts, also, to explain the functionning and the role of European neighborhood policy, its principles of action and objectives and, later on, to analyse the importance of Israel as a country found in the proximity of European Union. The reason for choosing Israel from all the other neighbors of the European Union, as subjects of European neighborhood policy, was the common values reflected in tradition and culture of the Jews from Israel and of the Europeans, enhanced by the European Jewry Heritage from Europe. We consider that the relationship between European Union and Israel is very normal and useful.
Among the priorities of action established by the two parts as a consequence of European Union-Israel treaties, we would like to point out the assignment to fight against anti-Semitism and against terrorist actions. The Jewish people are a people who passed through a lot of difficulties and inconveniences during history and through a great tragedy during the Holocaust. Israel represents the refuge they longed for centuries and democratic states do support Israeli aspiration towards having their own fatherland. Anti-Semitism increased now in the Arab world being the consequence of the conflicts between Palestinians and Israelites in the last decades. Some times it can take the form of terrorist action and hence the connection with terrorist networks. The fight against terrorism is not strictly connected with anti-Semitism; terrorist networks are acting more and more widely, including actions versus western civilization. So it is both in the interest of Europeans and Israel to act against the ones who put in danger the basic human values. Both Israel and European Union and United States also, have to reconsider their relation with Arab world whose aggression increased as being home for numerous extremist and terrorist Islamic movements. Terrorism is the present day threat and not a global war. But terrorism can cause much more damage than a war as affecting the entire world and mainly civilians. No place can be safe enough when confronting with such a threat. But the treaties between Israel and European Union have also economic, social, political, security related objectives. They have at their base the common values that Israel and European Union countries share: democracy, human rights and respect for fundamental freedoms. They wish to create more prosperous and secure countries. And they open European economy to Israeli participation. Strenghtening the economic ties between Israel and European Union, all sectors of cooperation will be strenghtened because economic interest is at the basis of long term relations. The method of work will be critical interpretation of the documents concerning European neighbourhood policy and its connection to Israel. The purpose is to understand the written base of EU and Israel relations as a precondition for further possible analysis of the diplomatic relations and politics of the two entities. Our position is to encourage the relationship between Israel and European Union. Israel and the European Union countries are united through historical ties as Jews from whole Europe contributed after 1948 to the creation and development of the Israelian state. Their relationship appears us very normal and an expected result.
In: United in visual diversity: images and counter-images of Europe, S. 92-105
Cram attempts to clarify the integration that is central to the European Union (EU). Scholarship by Spinelli, Deutsch, & Haas is cited, with the author leaning toward the last's view of integration as an organic, ongoing, & formative experience for participating nations. There is consideration of integration as the creation of a supranational political union that might outstrip & end in conflict with the momentum of individual nations. Haas's "spillover" theory is delineated. Examination of the issue of control of integration involves review of neofunctionalism & its critics, including Hoffmann. The shift of politics from between member states to within the EU has led to specialized zones of "high politics." It is suggested that the goal of determining the EU's identity may be partially satisfied by comparing it with nations or federal states. A look at the EU policy process further aids dissection, with the author focusing on the evolution of formal rules, informal aspects of policy, an outline of the policy process, examples of agenda-setting, the decision-making role of the Council of Ministers, & factors involved in implementation, enforcement, & specific policy areas. Majone's interpretation of the EU as a regulatory state is included. 20 References. M. C. Leary
Laffan illuminates the European Union (EU)'s governance by describing its budget-making process & politics. The primary functions of budgets are listed along with the EU's budget amounts, 1973-1998. There is a brief review of the budget of the EU's predecessor, the European Coal & Steel Community, 1952-1969, budgetary crises & conflicts, 1970-1986, & the institutionalization of the budget, 1987-1999. Data on budget creation & management are enriched by information on macronegotiations, the annual budget cycle, 1990's expansion, auditing, the discharge procedure, & means of addressing fraud. Future budgetary planning & conflicts are revealed by details of Agenda 2000, proposal formatting, & negotiations within the EU's councils. Ways in which the budgeting process embodies EU's goals of integration & representation are explored. The need for stabilization, accountability, & flexibility is addressed. 4 Tables, 1 Figure, 2 References. M. C. Leary
In: Serbia in Europe: neighbourhood relations and European integration, S. 89-107
In: Croatian accession to the European Union. Vol. 1, Economic and legal challenges, S. 181-200
The objective of this work is to determine the extent of the conformity of the Croatian energy sector with the conditions for membership in the EU. According to a comparative analysis an identification is made of the state of affairs in the energy sector in the EU, in the Republic of Croatia and in the applicant countries, the level at which the conditions for membership are fulfilled and the necessary measures that have to be implemented during the reform. The main conclusion is that the legal system itself in the area of the Croatian energy system is already mainly harmonised with the EU system. However, concrete application of the rules departs from the
way rules are applied in the EU. Since these rules obtain their final form only during application, and the manner of interpretation and application is much harder to change than the rules themselves, particular attention needs devoting to practice in the process of adjustment.
For the first time in history accession negotiations took place with 12 countries at the same time. The main elements of the process & the different parties involved show the major organizational task on both sides. The candidates had at the same time to reform all the acquis related areas in adopting & implementing it. Different instruments of the European Union comprising important financial aid helped them to introduce the necessary measures which are closely monitored by the Commission. The principle of "differentiation" did not cause discrimination, on the contrary, it motivated applicant countries to speed up efforts. The negotiations started with those (many) chapters, where technical matters prevailed. Also solutions from former enlargements were taken into account. Therefore it is not that surprising, that countries of the second "Helsinki group" were able to catch up with the first group, although they started two years later. The negotiation procedures with crossing over chapter (horizontal) & country structures as well as bi& multilateral meetings with the Negotiation Teams & the Task Force facilitated this 4 years long process. The "road map" prepared by the Commission in 2000 & adopted by the Member States had set a clear strategy up to the end of the negotiations in 2002. Ten countries became members in 2004. This strategy has worked successfully with the Commission & the Presidencies of the Union as driving forces. Three main results can be concluded: First the efficiency of the EU in implementing such a mega project; second the method & approaches of the negotiations had been successful & in time, however, politics should not weaken the conditions; & finally the attraction of the Union has not diminished as the examples of Turkey & the Balkan states show. Appendixes, References.
The two ways in which the European Union might represent a challenge to the concentration of power in the US are explored to argue that the internal contradictions of European leadership & present developments in the world economy threaten to destabilize the entire structure of the EU. A brief historical narrative traces the process of European construction sponsored by the US since 1949, which achieved a strong European economy without creating major problems for the US. The frictions between the US & French led European order of 1958-1969, the low point of US prestige at the end of the 70s & the neoliberal zeitgeist were the context for the European response with the Single European Act of 1986 which gave rise to the EU. Analysis of the Single Act identifies the system of supranational law, & the unbalanced nature of European construction. The current efforts of the EU to integrate member states financial systems & to build huge liquid markets in euro dominated securities are hindered by the way the EU elites conceive financial integration. Overcoming the internal contradictions of the EU would require rejection of the purely market creating focus of the present EU, & a determination to preserve & develop the deep integration achieved over the last half-century. Only if progressive forces of opposition to find enough common ground to redirect rather than dismantle the EU, the significant challenge to US hegemony emerge on the old continent. References. J. Harwell