Notes on the lectures from the course (2022) Politics of the European Union. INCLUDES live sessions and weblecture recording notes from weeks 1-6 (Total: 25 pages).
Notes on the lectures from the course (2022) Politics of the European Union. INCLUDES live sessions
and weblecture recording notes from weeks 1-6 (Total: 25 pages).
1
Politics of the European Union Live Sessions and Lecture Recording
Notes (Weeks 1-6)
Table of Contents
Live Session 1: Introduction to the Course 2
Weblecture 2: A History of European Integration 2
Weblecture 3: The European Commission (EC) 7
Weblecture 4: The Council 10
Weblecture 5: The European Council 13
Weblecture 6: The European Parliament 14
Weblecture 7: Decision-Making 16
Weblecture 8: Theories and European Integration 19
Weblecture 9: Theories and European Integration 21
, 2
Live Session 1: Introduction to the Course
The European Union (EU)
What is the EU?
● Two points of comparison = state vs. an International Organisation (IO).
● The EU is an ‘unidentified political object’:
○ Less than a state.
➔ The EU has common borders/territories and citizens, HOWEVER, the EU
does NOT have a monopoly on the use of force
○ But, more than an IO.
➔ It has a secretariat, with many discussions between state members. In some
discussions, there exists a transfer of extraordinary powers from member
states to the EU.
➔ The EU is very powerful (nearly 80% of legislation comes from the EU), with
EU law having precedence over national law (certain standards discussed in
Brussels > than those in national law).
Why study the EU?
● The EU is a complex organisation that is more than a typical IO (there is a lot of ignorance
behind it).
Three levels of politics → these lines are blurred:
1. Domestic Politics: In the member states (e.g.
environmental regulations).
2. EU Politics: Mainly in Brussels (e.g. decision-making
machinery, institutional actors), where lobbying is
more common and has a greater effect than at the
national level.
3. International Politics: The role in the international
sphere (e.g. EU in the UN, EU-Japan strategic
partnership).
Weblecture 2: A History of European Integration
Why study history?
Importance of history = understanding context/theories, solving historically-rooted problems.
Approaches to EU integration:
1. International Organisation: Institutions with little/NO autonomy, decisions through
government negotiations (theories of International Relations - IR).
2. Regional Integration Association: Comparable with other regional blocs, using IR
approaches (e.g. African Union).
3. Unique (sui generis): Emerged from unique circumstances with unique qualities/goals.
, 3
4. Political System: A European superstate (similar state structure/operating principles). Best
understood using comparative politics approaches (federalism, confederalism).
5. Hybrid: Mix of the above.
Early Ideas on European Integration
Richard von Couden-Kalergi’s PanEuropa (1923):
● A union of European peoples.
● Total cooperation of five global power fields (the Americas, the Soviet Union, Eastern Asia,
PanEuropa + colonies and the British Empire).
● Four stage process for the achievement of the EU (failed to generate a mass following):
1. Conference of representatives from 26 European states.
2. Agreement of dispute-settlement treaties.
3. Development of custom unions.
4. Drafting a federal European constitution.
Aristide Briand:
● A European federation = the creation of a “common market” + “European Union”.
Édouard Herriot (1924) and Winston Churchill’s Zürich Speech (1946):
● A “United States of Europe” (France + Germany, excluding the United Kingdom - UK).
The Road to Rome (1945-1957)
Challenges of post-war Europe:
1. Rebuilding destroyed economies.
➔ Organisation for European Economic Cooperation = Marshall Plan, OEEC (1961
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development - OECD).
2. Ensure security.
➔ Foundation of NATO (1949).
➔ West Germany → Western community, allowing rearmament under
supranational supervision (Schuman Plan).
3. Limit the dangers of nationalism responsible for European wars.
➔ 1948 European Movement.
➔ 1949 Council of Europe (European Convention on Human Rights).
The Schuman Plan (9 May 1950): Built around crucial Franco-German relations and United States’
(US) pressures to solve them. Cooperation (economic, political, social objectives) under a common
High Authority in coal and steel production ensuring control over production of weapons and
breaking up German industries (war = ‘impossible’).
➔ Proposed by Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet.
➔ Led to the 1951 Treaty of Paris’ European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) signed by
France, West Germany, Italy, and three Benelux countries (to ensure security).
➔ Countries that did NOT join:
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller giacomoef. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $9.64. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
