Supranational Organizations and the EU Specifically in More Detail

AGENDA

 Student will be able to analyze membership in the EU by completing the EU notes, participating in a brief simulation and discussing sovereignty issues.

 Brief intro! Brief intro! ayer_detailpage&v=O37yJBFRrfg#t=0

 The Maastricht Treaty –  created the modern organization, and gave it authority in new areas, including monetary policy, foreign affairs, national security, transportation, the environment, justice, and tourism.  An important goal was to coordinate economic policies, particularly through a common currency (Euro) - to replace the national currencies of the member-states.  EU and the Euro? European Union

 They also wanted a common European Central Bank - with enormous supranational authority to influence the economic policies of the members states.

 It established three pillars or spheres of authority  1. Trade and other economic matters, including economic and monetary union into a single currency, and the creation of the European Central Bank  2. Justice and home affairs, including policy governing asylum, border crossing, immigration, and judicial cooperation on crime and terrorism.  3. Common foreign and security policy, including joint positions and actions, and common defense policy.

 The EU has been accused of a “democratic deficit” –  the idea that institutions of the European Union lack democratic accountability and legitimacy compared to the national governments of its member states. For example: most of the decision making in the EU is done by nonelected officials.  Also known as “Euroskepticism” “Democratic Deficit”

 28 countries as of right now.  Latest to join was Croatia in 2013  Map Map

The European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, which enables three of the four EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) to participate in the EU's Internal Market.

 In order to be accepted, you must provide evidence to meet three important criteria:  1. a stable and functioning democratic regime  2. a market-oriented economy  3. Willingness to accept all EU laws and regulations  Should Turkey join the EU? Should Turkey join the EU?

 There are four major bodies in the EU  Commission - each commissioner takes responsibility to a particular area of policy, and heads a department called a Directorate General. Main responsibility is to initiate and implement new programs.  Council of Ministers - May initiate legislation, but its proposals don't become law until they have been passed by the Council. Each country has been assigned a number of votes in proportion to its share of the population.

 Very few European governments are in favour, arguing that the cultural, geopolitical and economic differences are too significant. There are also serious concerns over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's growing authoritarianism and crackdown on human rights.  Prime Minister David Cameron is one the nation's few allies in the west. On a trip to Ankara in 2014, he encouraged other EU countries to allow it to join, saying Turkey was "vital for our economy, vital for our security and vital for our diplomacy". Should Turkey be allowed to join? Pros and Cons exist!!!!

 European Parliament - May propose amendments to legislation, and it may reject proposals from the Council outright, however, the council may override a rejection by a unanimous vote.  European Court of Justice - Power of judicial review. Its decisions may limit national sovereignty. As such, it is more powerful than most national judicial systems of its member states. EU Structure

 the EU has removed most of the old tariffs and other barriers to trade among its members. Trade

 What are the advantages of free movement of people within the EU.  What are the advantages of free movement of products within the EU.  How does this apply to allowing illegal products (drugs, pest-infested agricultural products) into your country?  How does this apply to allowing illegal people (possible terrorists?) into your country?  Which outweighs which? The benefits of this or the negatives? Truck simulation

 Also, most licenses are accepted in all members states, the exception is a lawyers license.  EU makes monetary policy. It has created the euro, and has set basic interest rates and other fiscal policies. 2 exceptions are Britain and Sweden, which still refuse to give up their national currencies in favor of the common European currency.

 They create common agricultural policy - one goal is modernize inefficient farms so that they might compete in the common market. The EU has established farm subsidies - guarantees of selling goods at high prices.

 What are three ways that states give up their sovereignty by joining the EU? In your group

 EU and Sovereignty … UK’s referendum BREXIT (British Exit)  Complete the following:  1-Provide a brief summary.  2-How does this reflect a loss of sovereignty for member states?  3-In what circumstances do you think a loss of sovereignty could be good?  4-In what circumstances do you think a loss of sovereignty could be bad?  Which outweighs which? Is the EU bad or good?  Does this belief make you a Euroskeptic?