1. Problems and Prospects
The European Union:
Problems and Prospects

2. EU as a partial polity Successful in some areas
Creation of a single market with a common framework of law and regulation
Protection of agriculture
Regional policy
Less successful international affairs
Able to speak for member states in trade policy
Great difficulty in achieving single voice on security matters

3. Explanations:
EU institutions can find and build consensus through discussion and negotiation
Member-states willing to delegate authority where it serves their interests
Less willing to do so where
Alternate structures and choices are available
Foreign and security policy
alternate structures develop and persist
NATO – cold war architecture
United Nations

4. Institutions The Commission Acts as source of initiative
College of Commissioners
2 from larger member-states
1 from the others
Directorates General
Acts as source of initiative
Proposes new policies in consultation with expert committees
Encourages member-states to carry out regulations and directives
Tries to formulate policies acceptable to member-states and European parliament

5. Council of Ministers Represents member-states
Meets in subject area or thematic councils
Combines legislative and some executive functions
Can approve or reject proposals from Commission and European Parliament
Decides by qualified majority voting (QMV)
However seeks consensus whenever possible
Permanent representatives ( member-state ambassadors (COREPER) – review proposals – maintain constant liaison with their governments

6. European Parliament Directly elected
Organized by European level parties
Party of European Socialists
European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)
European Liberals and Democrats…
Tries to increase power by
Claiming popular legitimacy
Amending policies
taking advantage of legislative procedures

7. European Council
Brings together heads of government in biannual meetings
Agenda set by country holding the rotating presidency
Sets general policy directions
Tries to resolve disputes, outline new directions

8. EU decision-making process
Work by ‘community method’
Commission, in consultation with member-states, European-level interest groups, tries to formulate policies which can be approved by qualified majority
Institutions provide opportunity to find areas of agreement
a slow, protracted process
One which works because
There are shared interests
In most instances, unanimity is not required
QMV encourages member-states to get involved

9. EU foreign policy: Fragmented:
Commission speaks for EU on trade policy, assistance to third countries
several commissioners involved:
External relations
Trade
Enlargement
Development aid
“Second pillar” Common foreign and security policy
Formulated by European Council and General Affairs Council (foreign ministers)
High representative (after Amsterdam Treaty)

10. Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)
New policy area:
Shadow of cold war security architecture
CFSP “under construction”
development of mechanisms for discussion and analysis
Underdeveloped military structures
Possibility of action via joint strike force, troops withdrawn from NATO
Broader problem:
Finding consensus
Willingness of member-states to act
Relationship to US

11. Successes and failures
Association agreements
Common strategies vis a vis Russia, Ukraine, Mediterranean rim
Problems
Former Yugoslavia:
Disagreements on recognition
Involvement in Macedonia along side UN
Peacekeeping
Rwanda
Iraq

12. Enlargement: consequences and implications
Terms:
Member-states must fulfill variety of conditions
Liberal democratic form of government
Accept ‘acqui’ – EU laws and policies developed to date
Problems:
Disparities in wealth, development
Bringing in new member-states on an equal basis
Acculturating them to new institutions
Modifying institutions to make them work
Finding new basis of consensus and understanding