College aantekeningen
European Governance Answers Reading Questions
- Instelling
- Universiteit Utrecht (UU)
All the answers of the reading questions from chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 6, 9, 10, 11 from the weekly meetings.
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Week 47: Introduction to the EUWednesday, 20 November 2024 (Chapter 1 & 2)
1. In chapter 1 on the historical development of the EU, the origins of European integration
are discussed. Why was the European Coal and Steel Community established when earlier
attempts at European integration had failed?
The ECSC was created in 1951 due to its focus on a narrow, technical area—coal and steel
production—which was critical for rebuilding post-war Europe and reducing national rivalries.
Earlier attempts at integration (e.g., the Pan-European Movement) failed because they
lacked concrete economic foundations and faced resistance from sovereign states wary of
political union. The ECSC succeeded because:
● It was framed as a pragmatic step toward economic recovery.
● It addressed core industries vital for war-making, promoting peace.
● It included a supranational authority (High Authority), ensuring equal oversight.
2. Chapter 1 also discusses the Court of Justice’s rulings in the Van Gend en Loos and
Costa v. ENEL Cases, which established the principles of direct effect and supremacy of EU
law, respectively. These rulings have been cited as examples of judicial activism(having
broad interpretations of certain judicial principles, the court is making law that was not made
by the member states). Read briefing 1.2 on page 12. Do you think the Court overstepped its
mandate?
Judicial Activism and the Court’s Mandate: The Court of Justice established:
● Direct Effect (Van Gend en Loos): EU law grants rights to individuals enforceable in
national courts.
● Supremacy (Costa v. ENEL): EU law overrides conflicting national law.
Did the Court Overstep? Critics argue the Court acted beyond its mandate by interpreting
the treaties expansively, creating principles not explicitly agreed upon by member states.
However, proponents contend the rulings were necessary to ensure the EU’s legal
coherence and functionality. I believe the Court acted within its mandate to fill gaps in treaty
language, fostering deeper integration as implicitly intended by the treaties.
3. Chapter 2 discusses key theoretical approaches for understanding EU politics. Briefing
2.3 on pages 37-38 explains the key assumptions of the three types of institutionalism.
Which one of these do you think can best explain the continuous extending of the powers of
the European Parliament, the one directly elected institution of the European Union, by the
member states?
The Historical Institutionalism lens best explains the European Parliament's (EP) growing
powers. Member states initially granted limited powers to the EP, but over time, these
powers expanded incrementally (e.g., co-decision under the Maastricht Treaty). Path
,dependency and lock-in effects made reversing or limiting these powers increasingly difficult,
as the EP became a central actor in EU decision-making.
4. Theories of European integration and EU governance are like sunglasses with
different-coloured lenses. If you wear a red pair, the world looks red; if you wear a yellow
pair, it looks yellow.
a. Explain how the role of the European Commission differs when you look at the 8
process of European integration through either the Neofunctionalist or the (Liberal)
Intergovernmentalist lens.
Neofunctionalism: Views the Commission as a proactive driver of integration, using
its agenda-setting powers to promote spillover effects across policy areas.
Liberal Intergovernmentalism: Sees the Commission as a facilitator of
negotiations, primarily serving the interests of member states rather than shaping integration
independently.
b. In what fundamental way do the multi-level governance and comparative politics
perspectives on EU politics differ from each other? In other words, how does switching these
lenses lead to different perceptions of the EU?
● Multi-Level Governance (MLG): Emphasizes the EU as a system of shared
authority among multiple levels (supranational, national, and subnational), with
non-hierarchical decision-making.
● Comparative Politics: Treats the EU as a quasi-state, comparing its structures and
processes to national governments, focusing on central authority. Switching lenses
alters whether the EU is seen as a novel governance system (MLG) or akin to a
federal system (Comparative Politics).
c. Choose an EU policy and explain its multi-level governance character.
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) illustrates multi-level governance:
● Decisions involve the European Commission, national governments, and regional
stakeholders.
● Implementation varies by member state, reflecting local contexts and EU oversight.
5. Read Controversy 1.1 on page 25 about EU enlargement. Enlargement has often been
seen as the EU’s greatest success story. Critics of the EU’s enlargement policy, however,
point to the difficulties that enlargement has posed to the EU’s decisionmaking system as
well as the potential negative impact of enlargement on the accession countries.
a. What is your opinion about EU enlargement: has it gone too far and should
candidate countries like Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia,
Turkey, and Ukraine become EU member states?
Enlargement has brought economic benefits and political stability but has strained the EU’s
decision-making and cohesion. While candidate countries like Ukraine and Moldova could
strengthen the EU geopolitically, accession must balance preparedness and capacity for
integration. Expanding too quickly risks diluting core EU values and effectiveness.
, b. How do the core assumptions of neofunctionalism, intergovernmentalism, and
postfunctionalism lead to different predictions about the impact of EU enlargement on the
integration process?
● Neofunctionalism: Predicts enlargement will lead to further integration through
spillover effects, as new members adapt to EU norms.
● Intergovernmentalism: Suggests enlargement will heighten national bargaining,
with states prioritizing sovereignty over deep integration.
● Postfunctionalism: Foresees enlargement increasing domestic resistance in
existing members, as citizens feel disconnected from an ever-larger EU, potentially
stalling integration.
Friday, 22 November 2024 (Chapter 3 & 4)
1. Chapter 3 lays out the EU institutional framework and discusses the powers of the
main EU institutions, including the European Parliament.
a. Do you think the European Parliament has either more or less influence on
decision-making than your national parliament?
Influence Compared to a National Parliament: The European Parliament (EP) has less
influence than most national parliaments in terms of legislative initiation and certain policy
domains. Unlike national parliaments, the EP cannot propose legislation (a power held by
the European Commission) and is limited in areas like foreign policy and defense. However,
its role in co-decision (ordinary legislative procedure) gives it significant influence compared
to some second chambers in federal systems.
b. What are key areas of legislation and decision-making in which the European
Parliament is not or only marginally involved?
Areas of Marginal Involvement:
● Foreign policy and defense (Common Foreign and Security Policy): The EP’s
role is largely consultative.
● Economic governance (e.g., Eurogroup decisions): The EP has limited oversight
compared to the European Council and the Commission.
c. What are the benefits and disadvantages of involving the Parliament in these
areas?
Benefits and Disadvantages:
● Benefits of involving the EP:
○ Increased democratic legitimacy and accountability.
○ Broader representation of citizens’ voices.
● Disadvantages:
○ Slower decision-making processes.
○ Potential for politicization of sensitive issues like defense.
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