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College notes Theory and history European integration (MAN-BCU2009EN-2020-1-V)
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Summary of all 19 classes Theory and European Integration
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Prof. dr. Anna van der Vleutena.vandervleuten@fm.ru.nl
College 1 - 01-09-2020
1 - Introduction to the course
3 -11 - History of European integration
12-20 - European integration theories
21 - Synopsis
Literature:
- Oxford Politicstrove: Different chapters from different books
- One book isn’t available on Oxford Politicstrove, this is available from the Radboud Library:
Jones, Erik, et al. The Oxford handbook of the European Union, Oxford Handbooks Online
- Articles will be published on Brightspace
VPN for Politicstrove
Exam: Take home exam
- Knowledge of European integration history
- Knowledge of European decision-making and enforcement structures
- Knowledge of European integration theories
- Knowledge of EU enlargement dynamics and problematiques
- Application of European integration theories to the history of European integration, the
functioning of the EU, and the enlargement process.
Open questions
European integration as a dependent variable
The EU is growing > from 6 countries to 28 member states in 2017
European integration is ambivalent, because for the first time the UK is leaving the EU
Deepening: 80% of national legislation is based on EU regulations
Many historical events have had a big influence on European integration.
Some have lead to mass migration, economic changes
The European institutions have had a big role, some institutions have their own interests. The
European Commission for example have a desire for more power. This has had influences on the
European integration.
The European Parliament also had an influence on European integration and disintegration. Do the
European members of parliament see themselves as Europeans or more as citizens of their own
respective countries, national politicians representing their countries.
National governments have had a big role, for instance Rutte’s contributions to the covid fund.
National governments have an influence on the role of the EU and their behavior around national
elections.
Corporations and societal groups (e.g. environmental groups) also have a contributions on
European integration and what their interests are.
1
,College 2 - 04-09-2020
The German question
What do we mean with the German question
The German question= the problem of the loss of the European balance of power.
In Europe there is a balance of power, this means that not one country can become to powerful
for the other powers to keep in check. If this happens then the balance of power is broken.
Napoleon was the first to upset the balance of power in Europe (1799-1813). He tried to create an
empire governed by him. It was only at a certain moment that the other countries worked together
to fight France.
The balance of power was restored: the Congress of Vienna 1814-1815
It as decided not to divide France but to restore it whit in the original borders to create a balance
of power, they created stable states (Prussia, Austria, Deutscher Bund), with Belgium as a buffer
state between France and The Netherlands so that a French emperor wasn’t able to disrupt the
balance of power.
This balance of power worked well until Germany united, Germany became too powerful to be
stopped by other countries.
What we see is 3 France-German wars in a row. Otto von Bismark did not completely occupy
France, for him it was enough to make clear to France that Germany was stronger and France
should not act out of order. The war was very brief and Bismark decided to withdraw and not
occupy (1870-1871).
After there was a balance of power for 40 years. In which time Germany became much stronger,
economically and military. The other countries were worried.
In 1914 WW I broke out. Germany decided to fight on two fronts. This war was much longer than
the previous wars, this was against expectations. Once again France experienced that Germany
once again was very able to beat them. France was very dependent on external help from the UK,
Russia etc.
WW II was another example of Germany becoming an entity which disrupts the balance of power.
Germany was able to become such a strong economy because they have the capacity to create
this economy (their territory, natural resources) and innovate it time after time again. Belgium had
this as well but they weren’t able to innovate. Innovation is a key element to stay in power.
How was the German question solved in 1949
1945-1949: How to solve the German question, so the other countries can stop Germany
becoming such a power for the 3rd time.
Yalta 1945: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt
Germany will be cut up in 4 pieces, controlled by Britain, America, Russia and France
It was clear France and the UK weren’t powerful enough, the UK was in ruins after WW2, being so
close after WW1. So a non-European holder of the balance of power was added (United States)
The idea was that the partition of Germany would be a temporary situation. But the partition
became a very permanent feature with the Iron Curtain during the cold war until 1989.
2
,The European coal and steel community
How did the ECSC contribute to a solution for the German question?
Jean Monnet, French civil servant: people only accept change when they are faced with a
necessity, and only recognize necessity when a crisis is upon them.
France had been conquered by Germany three times in a row in 70 years. The French economy
was also very weak. To rebuild the French economy they needed Germany, as a market but also
for their coal. But if Germany was allowed to rebuild their economy the thread for France was
back.
1. How can another war in Europe be prevented?
2. How can European economy be restored?
3. How can the rise of communism be stopped?
European integration as an answer to these questions
Monnet said we have to stop thinking in balance of power, because it is very volatile and it has
many negative side effects, these small wars for instance.
Monnet sought the support of Robert Schuman, the secretary of foreign affairs.
Schuman was from a region close to the German border, so he knew what it was like.
What were the key elements of the ESCS?
Presenting the Schuman-Plan - 9 may 1950, Quai d’Orsay (This is also why we celebrate the
European Union on the 9th of May.)
The objective was preventing another war.
Europe cannot be made overnight, so we will start with coal and steel
1. Technocratic: Coal and steel
2. Supranational authority to oversee the coal and steel sectors of France and Germany.
The key points were:
- The decartelization of the German heavy industry, to prevent them from becoming a power
block again.
- Market access.
France said they didn’t want market access before Germany was decartellised, France wanted to
avoid being vulnerable to Germany with an open market and Germany said they did not want to
decartelize before France let them acces their market. It was a trust issue. They will not realize the
best outcome because they were afraid the other one would take advantage.
Why did the French government agree?
The French government did agree
- They needed economic recovery: Ensure of coal supply
- German economic recovery without threat
- US will guarantee Germany would not become to powerful
3
, Why did the German government agree?
The German government did agree
Conrad Adenauer:
- Reconciliation with France, they needed to live like good neighbors
- Gleichberechtung: they could not be humiliated again like the Versailles Treaty, they wanted
equal rights for Germany
- Westbindung: Western-Germany wanted to be bound to the west.
- There was a US guarantee that made sure Germany would not be humiliated again.
Kanzlerdemokratik: Adenauer had far more powers than a chancellor would have in a regular
democracy.
Why did the UK disagree?
The UK had no economic dependence on the continent
Labour Party control over recently nationalized industries
US: pressure on Germany for decartelization for its heavy industries.
Why did the BeNeLux initially disagree?
Supranationality: It was a big power deal because France and Germany would have all of the
power
They wanted an intergovernmental council of ministers and veto rights for member states.
Institutions in Luxembourg
There were multiple institutions in Luxembourg
- High authority: headed by Jean Monnet
- Council of ministers
- Parlimentary Assembly = national MPs
- Court
Marga Klompé (dutch) : the first female member of the assembly
Key contents of the ECSC Treaty
- Decartelization of the German coal and steel industry
- Transition towards a customs union for coal and steel
- Equalization funds (so the weaker economies like Belgium and Italy would agree with the treaty)
- Gradual harmonization of working conditions
20 April 1951: Signing the Paris treaty, establishing the ESCS
4
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