Workshop activity The European Union: Are you a Europhile or a Eurosceptic?

Group 1 This group needs to identify the key positive developments of the EU integration project. This may involve a consideration of the aim of the ‘founding fathers’, the institutional structure as well as key Treaty and policy developments. Concentrate on identifying the positive reasons for UK membership of the EU and our continued participation in the project. You must provide reasons for your choices in the feedback session.

Group 2 This group needs to identify the key negative aspects of EU integration. This may involve a consideration of core concepts of sovereignty, democracy and transparency as well as the bureaucracy and lack of relevance to European citizens. Concentrate on identifying the negative aspects of UK membership of the EU – this may mean that the EU as a strong economic power should not attempt to develop a political identity, or that the UK should withdraw from the project altogether. You must provide reasons for your choices in the feedback session.

Group 3 This group needs to outline the EU’s economic, political and legal identity. Who has power in the EU? Why do citizens feels detached from the EU? You should consider the institutional actors e.g. the Commission, MEPs, the role of business interests, and the importance of member state interests. Could it ever become a state? You must provide reasons for your suggestions in the feedback session.

Group 4 This group should discuss whether the EU represents a value system. Can the EU ever become a superpower? Could/should the EU represent a challenge to US dominance of the international system? The discussion should focus on the direction in which the EU might develop in the future. Should the EU remain an economic actor or should it become a global, political actor? You must provide reasons for your suggestions in the feedback session.