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European Public Policy - Key Points Summary
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This summary includes all the key points necessary for the exam, it is summarised from the book and the lectures given at European Studies at THUAS
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EPP Key Points SummaryWeek 1
Symbols of the EU
Creating a shared identity
- ‘United in Diversity’ – motto of Europe
- EU flag
- Burgundy passports
- The EURO
- Unofficial anthem
- Myth of Europa
EU as a hybrid organization
The EU is a combination of supranational and intergovernmental bodies / federal and
confederal elements.
Intergovernmentalism = EU as a meeting point where representatives negotiate to pursue
state interests while downplaying broader European community of interests. In
intergovernmentalism the member states don’t want to lose their sovereignty.
It’s a combination of supranationalism as well, because the European Commission and the
European Parliament operate above the level of member states.
Federation/confederation:
Federation
- The EU has two systems of law: European and National
- Treaties like a constitution -> institution working above the level of member states
and distribute powers
- Separate executive/legislative bodies above member states
- EU institutions high level of authority over agriculture, environmental, trade policy
- Self-identification in relation to EU
Confederation:
- The EU is a union of states. And a voluntary association, because every member state
is free to leave
- Constitutions from intergovernmental conferences
- Interests of citizens represented indirectly through member states
- States remain their units for defense, security, foreign policy
- Citizen’s allegiance to national symbols
International Organization:
the qualities of an IO are:
- Voluntary cooperation
- Communal management
- Shared interests
- Minimal autonomy
The EU is NOT an IO because of voluntary cooperation, if the EU says you have to do
something, you have to cooperate. Also, some people of the EU work beyond the
level of member states. The EU is more than an IO.
,European identity
There is not really a single European identity, citizens usually identify themselves with their
nationality. Europeans do have some things in common such as some European spheres like
the Football UEFA, Champions league, the Eurovision. Furthermore, how could we define a
European? There are three entities: geographic, cultural, and political. Geographic: already
problematic because where does Europe start and end? The borders aren’t defined.
Cultural: group identity is how you see yourself regarding location, language, history,
ethnicity, and religion. All these points differ to every state in the EU, even within states
people identify themselves differently. Political: the identity is tired to citizenship and
rights/duties. EU citizenship gives citizens EU rights, such as freedom of movement,
however European citizenship does not overpower national citizenship.
Week 2
Theories of European integration
Neofunctionalism
States are not the only important actors in efforts to integrate, supranational institutions,
interest groups and political parties all play a key role.
Key concept: spillover effect:
Cooperation in one sector would lead to cooperation in another sector, which ultimately
leads to economic and political integration.
For instance: ECSC: Cooperation in one sector (coal and steel) -> cooperation in another
sector (atomic energy) -> economic integration under supervision of organization -> political
integration
Intergovernmentalism
EU as a meeting point where representatives negotiate to pursue state interests while
downplaying broader European community of interests.
In intergovernmentalism the member states don’t want to lose their sovereignty. Nation
states are self-centered -> state is central
Liberal intergovernmentalism
Combination of neofunctionalism and intergovernmentalism. It is beneficial in a liberal
modern world for EU states to integrate, not out of spillover but self-interest. States bargain
in Brussel for self-interest -> which leads to European integration. Intergovernmental
bargains are driven by domestic pressures.
Spillover effect
Cooperation in one sector would lead to cooperation in another sector, which ultimately
leads to economic and political integration.
The EU as a state, an IO, a federation/confederation or UPO
State
(Westphalian system)
1. Population
2. Government
Authority to administer & represent state
, 3. Legitimacy
Recognition of authority by inhabitants & governments of all states
4. Territory
Boundaries
5. Sovereignty
Monopoly over expression of legal and political power, (violence)
However, there is no sovereignty in the EU and no monopoly of violence. Decisions are
made by the governments of member states.
International Organization
International Organization can be divided into two:
- Non-governmental Organization (NGO)
Think of: Amnesty International, Red Cross, Greenpeace
- Intergovernmental Organization (IGO)
Think of: Council of Europe, World Trade Organization (WTO), Interpol
Qualities/principles of IOs:
- Voluntary cooperation
- Communal management
- Shared interests
- Minimal autonomy
However, the EU is not an IO because the EU does not have voluntary cooperation. If the EU
decides something, all member states have to cooperate. Furthermore, some people that
work for the EU work above the level of member states. The EU is more than a IO.
Federal or Confederal state
Federation:
- Unified state, direct link between government and citizens
- Authority divided between 2 or more levels of government, each with independent
powers and responsibilities
- Examples: Australia, Brazil, Pakistan, US, Germany
Confederation:
- Loose association of sovereign states, no direct link between central government
and citizens
- More power left in hands of constituent states
- Examples: Switzerland
Week 3 and 4
Members of the EU and year of membership
1951: France, Italy, West-Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg (ECSC, ToP)
1972: UK, Ireland, and Denmark
1979: Greece
1985: Spain and Portugal
1994: Austria, Finland, and Sweden
2004: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta, Cyprus
2007: Bulgaria, Romania
2013: Greece
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