Historical Evolution of the European Union from Its Earliest Post-war Beginnings - Research Paper Example

? The Historical Evolution of the European Union from Its Earliest Post-War Beginnings under the Schuman Plan and the European Coal & Steel Community(Name) (Institution) (Course) (Tutor) (Date) Abstract The establishment of The European Coal and Steel Community (EASC) saw the integration beyond coal and steel, and induce a more profound relationship. European Union was to harness member states and address political and economic issues. This paper is going to give accounts of the historical evolution of the European Union from its earliest post-War beginnings under the Schuman Plan and the European Coal & Steel Community. Introduction European integration was initiated in 1950 through the Schumann Plan, which established The European Coal and Steel Community (EASC). The aim was to confront fears that the dominance of Germany’s coal and steel industries could be detrimental to European post war reconstruction efforts or be harnessed to build a war machine (Lipgens and Loth, 1988). At a personal level, the plan’s chief architect, jean Monnet, hoped that the project would shore up French reconstruction plans and capacity by Europeanizing the technical planning process. Most proponents of the project hoped that ECSC would pave way for integration beyond coal and steel, and induce a more profound relationship (Sloan, 2005). The Robert Schuman Speech Robert Schuman, the French foreign minister acting on advice from his adviser jean Monnet, made a historical speech on 9th may 1950. The speech addressed pertinent issues affecting Europe such as the just ended World War Two, economic situation in European states, the unfolding cold war between Soviet Union and the US, the plague coup that facilitated the communist takeover in Czechoslovakia, the Berlin blockade, the first soviet atomic bomb, and forces in the USA advocating for a German rearmament (Lipgens and Loth, 1988). Unlike the council of Europe where member states retained much of their sovereignty, this proposal sought to woo European states into ceding some of their sovereignty for the common good of all of Europe (Sloan, 2005). The speech proposed that political integration could be achieved through small steps and practical achievements. The age-old rivalry and enmity between France and Germany had to be eliminated. A high authority, later named as European Coal and Steel Community, was to overlook the Franco-German coal and steel industry. The perceived fusion of economic interests would raise standards of living and inspire the formation of a European community. Decisions of the proposed High Authority were to be binding on member states while the high authority was to be independent and have equal representation. The founding partners had to invent a unique law and avoid the principle of unanimity. As a result, the law designed was neither national nor international, but transnational or supranational as such; the EU law was in violation of some national laws and required a high social competence to practice (Gerber, 1998). Initially, the EASC had six founding members who consisted of Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The 1957 Treaty of Rome created the European Common Community (ECC) or Common Market. The founding nations of the European Union sacrificed some of their sovereignty in favor of economic integration, supranational governance, and collective peace. The motive was to rise above nationalistic heroism that had dominated the early decades of the twentieth century, precipitating two world wars, loss of life, and economic destruction (Sloan, 2005). European political leaders wanted to end international strife, promote economic well being, foster social harmony, and build a better world free of rivalries and hatred. Therefore, the initial functions of the EU were to foster peace and prosperity (Sloan, 2005). There were two ideological approaches to European integration; the federalist approach advocated for local, national and regional authorities to cooperate and complement each other while the functionalist approach advocated for the gradual transfer of economic and political sovereignty from national to community level. Eventually the two ideologies were merged and independent democratic European institutions were formed with jurisdiction over areas where joint action would be more effective than individual states. These areas include foreign policy, monetary policy, employment policy, and others (Thody, 1997). Formed at the same time as the EASC, were four other European institutions; the High Authority was the executive arm wielding power over member states, companies from member states, and had nine members. The Council acted as a legislative body. The parliamentary assembly composed of delegates from member state and discussed and controlled the high authorities’ activities and the court of justice. The Rome treaty of 1958 activated the European Economic Community and European Atomic Community. The former was created to enhance free movement of labor, goods and services while abolishing custom duties on manufactured goods and creating common policies in agriculture and foreign trade. The latter was created to promote research in utilization of nuclear energy for peaceful development purposes. All these were fused in 1967, with the establishment of a Common Commission and a Common Council (Thody, 1997). The ratification of the membership of Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Ireland in 1973, contributed to the first enlargement while the European Commission was given authority over environmental, regional, and social matters. The European Monetary System, formed in 1979, was to stabilize exchange rates, promote enactment of strict economic policies among members, and to support and benefit from a disciplined open economic area (Thody, 1997). Greece joined the union in 1981, with both Portugal and Spain joining in 1986, following the demise of dictatorships and transformation into democratic states. In the same period, the EC grew in stature and international presence signing agreements with countries in the Caribbean, pacific, south Mediterranean, and Africa through four successive Lome Conventions. The agreement with GATT and the founding of WTO changed world trade with the EU as the world’s biggest trading partners. This induced the EU into finding a common foreign and security policy at the international stage (Thody, 1997). Due to world recession and internal wrangles involving the distribution of financial burden, the early 1980s endured persistent ‘euro-pessimism’. The Single Act enacted in 1987 introduced ambitious new targets and new procedures for adopting legislation. Notably, the veto member states were abolished in internal market policy situations and a policy of qualified majority was introduced. The collapse of the Berlin wall, democratization of central and eastern European countries, and the disintegration of the soviet union in 1991, preceded the Maastricht Treaty of 1991, which stipulated that, new common policies be formulated, common European citizenship, common foreign security, internal security policy, and a new monetary union by 1999 (Thody, 1997). The Amsterdam Treaty enacted in1999, adapted and strengthened the union’s policies and powers especially free movement of people, foreign policy, public health, and judicial cooperation. The European parliament was granted more powers. The Nice Treaty enacted in 2001, unanimously adopted the European charter on fundamental rights emphasizing on personal liberty, economic, and social rights. It also adopted the institutions for the next enlargement incorporating ten new members. By 2004, the EU had 25 member states, while others like Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey were at various stages of initiation. The EU constitution was adopted during a session of the European council in Dublin/Ireland in 2004, and contained the European charter of fundamental rights. It was ratified over a 3 year period, eventually being implemented in 2007 (Thody, 1997). The EU policies and administration have to strike a balance between national and common interests, and respect diversity of national culture while forging a separate identity. The EU is characterized by; a single market where goods, services, capital and people circulate freely with larger population than Russia and the USA combined, common space devoid of visa and border controls with a few exceptions. The Euro is the common currency, and as of 2004, there were 25 member states with several others working on accession (Pagden, 2001). Even though the Maastricht Treaty recommended all the EU member states to adopt the euro by 1999, individual currencies of the initial 12 compliant states were replaced by actual euro notes and coins in 2002. Previously Euros were used only in electronic transactions. The front sides of all Euro coins are similar, but the back sides are customized with different symbols by individual countries. This is indicative of EU unity while appreciating diversity with countries maintaining their identities. The Euro notes are similar on the fore side with symbols like doors and windows to symbolize open-mindedness and economic opportunity while the backsides are impressions of bridges to symbolize strong bonds between member states. The Euro has eased the process of transactions for merchants and tourists due to the use of common currency in all or most places of business in the Euro compliant states (Pagden, 2001). Qualification for EU membership For a country to qualify for EU membership, it must be a stable democracy observing fundamental human rights, protection of minorities, and practice the rule of law. It must adopt the standards, common rules and policies as enshrined in the EU constitution. It must have a functional market economy with low inflation, a low budget deficit, and a stable currency. Once a country fulfills these requirements and is ratified, then it can enjoy the four freedoms of EU membership; that is, free movement of goods, labor, services, and capital. Some member countries of the EU have objected to enlargement especially in the case of the 10 countries added in 2004 and the two added in 2007, as the economies and societies in these countries are less stable than those of western European countries. Secondly, the standards of living in those countries have to be raised so as to be in line with those of older member countries. Therefore, citizens of western countries object to the shouldering of the unfair burden of uplifting less prosperous countries (McAllister, 1997). There is also the fear that, large companies may shift base to the new EU member states where there is cheap labor or cheaper consumer goods from new EU countries and this will force producers in western countries to lower their prices. Another challenge is streamlining and simplifying legislation. Once a country has met the qualifications, the accession process begins. This is normally carried out between the candidate country and the European commission representing the EU. After this phase, the decision to ratify a new member country is taken by the existing member countries in a council meeting. The European parliament gives its assent through a positive vote by absolute majority. The accession treaties are then ratified member states and the candidate country in accordance with individual country constitutional procedures. In the process of negotiations, candidate countries receive EU aid to ease the economic catch up process. For example, the 10 enlargement countries of 2004 received a package of €41 billion as funding for structural projects so that they could fulfill obligations of membership (McAllister, 1997). Institutions of the European Union The council of ministers comprises of a minister from each of the member states and acts as the major legislative body of the EU. The presidency lasts six months and is rotated amongst all member states while the council composition is dependent on the subject like, foreign, energy or environment ministers. It enacts decisions, directives and decrees formulated by the European commission. It is assisted by the committee of permanent representatives (CPR), consisting of permanent representatives usually ambassadors from each member state, working groups, and the general secretariat (McAllister, 1997). The European Commission consists of 20 members and is the executive body of the EU with at least one member from each member country appointed by mutual consent of the member states. These members are approved by parliament and the president. It overlooks proper implementation of the terms of the treaty and the decisions taken by community institutions. It formulates proposals on policy and submits them to the council and parliament. It represents the EU in its economic endeavors with international organizations or countries. It has the responsibility to administer funds and programs on behalf of the EC, and issue aid to other countries. The members are subject to control by the European parliament only (McAllister, 1997). The European parliament has a mandate of five years and its members are elected directly by citizens of member states. It has power of control over the council and commission by virtue of its rights to participate in legislative procedures, but lacks full legislative powers. It also approves the EU budget. Any legislation proposed by the EC is subject to review by individual committees of the European Parliament. The committees may propose amendments or suggest additions to the legislation, and such reviews are then forwarded to the council of ministers. It also cooperates with the council on setting EU budgets, and has power to reject budgets if no agreement is reached (McAllister, 1997). The European court of justice is responsible for addressing all legal questions and queries in the EU. It has 15 judges appointed every 6 years. It resolves legal disputes between member governments and EU institutions, internal disputes and appeals against decisions and resolutions. Courts in member states may refer to issues that are unclear in EU legislation. Its decisions are binding and give guidelines for decisions of national courts. It decisions act as precedents and are incorporated into the jurisdictions of member states (McAllister, 1997). The European Court of Auditors established in 1975 has one member from each country working on a six-year term. It checks and review EU revenue and expenditure to ensure that, all transactions are above board. The European Central Bank manages the Euro and EU monetary policy. Other institutions of the EU include the European Environmental Agency (EEA) founded to coordinate efforts to aid the environment, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Investment Fund (EIF), the European Monetary Institute (EMI), and the EU Structural Fund. The economic and social committee has 222 members appointed on a four year basis, and represents employer and employee groups or various interest groups. It is consulted by the council of ministers and the European Commission on some social and economic matters (McAllister, 1997). Symbols of the European Union Based on the inaugural of Robert Schuman speech on the 9th of May 1950, in order to promote peaceful relations between European countries, the 9th of May is the official Europe day. It is marked with activities and festivities in all European Union member states in an effort to unite all European Union citizens. On this day, EU buildings in Brussels open the doors and EU citizens can pop-in and look at offices, meet EU civil servants, sample information, and examine delicacies in the canteens and bars. The European flag is a symbol of European unity and identity. The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony among the member states. The stars and the exact number of 12 stars is a concept borrowed from Greek mythology implying perfection, completeness, and unity. It has no bearing on the number of EU member states and has been used by all EU institutions since 1986 (Sloan, 2005). The European Anthem was adopted by the Council of Europe (different from the EU and consisting of 45 member countries, but cooperates with EU on many issues) from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony of “ode of joy” theme in 1972. This anthem expresses the ideals of freedom, peace, and solidarity. The EU adopted the anthem in 1985 as the official anthem of the European Union to celebrate shared values and unity in diversity (Pagden, 2001). Conclusion From Early 20th century, Europe has witnessed political strife, conflicts violence, and even wars that resulted in destruction of property, economic structures and loss of life. This and other world events motivated European visionaries to rise above antagonistic nationalism and endorse peace, economic, and political integration. The process as speculated by Robert Schuman was long and daunting requiring selfless leadership and commitment. For those who braved the challenges, the benefits of a free market and free movement awaited them. References: Gerber, D. (1998). Law and competition in twentieth century Europe: protecting Prometheus. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Lipgens, W. and Loth, W. (1988). Documents on the history of European integration. Vol. 3, The struggle for European union by political parties and pressure groups in Western European countries 1945-1950. Berlin; New York: De Gruyter. McAllister, R. (1997). From EC to EU: An Historical and Political Survey. New York: Routledge Pagden, R. (2001). The Idea of Europe: from antiquity to the European Union. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; Washington, DC: WWC Press. Sloan, S., R. (2005). NATO, the European Union, and the Atlantic community: the transatlantic bargain challenged. Lanham [u.a.]: Rowman & Littlefield. Thody, P., M. (1997). An Historical Introduction to the European Union. New York: Routledge Read More