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Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

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Page 1: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Politics in the European UnionPolitics in the European Union

Comparative PoliticsProfessor Paul M. Flor

Chapter NineChapter Nine

Page 2: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

 Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland   Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom

01 January 199525 March 1957

01 January 200701 May 200401 May 2004

01 January 197301 May 2004

01 January 199525 March 195725 March 1957

01 January 198101 May 2004

01 January 197325 March 1957

01 May 200401 May 2004

25 March 195701 May 2004

25 March 195701 May 2004

01 January 198601 January 2007

01 May 200401 May 2004

01 January 198601 January 199501 January 1973

JoinedMember states

Page 3: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

European Union Bio

• Pop: 490,426,060 (July 2007 est.) • Territory: 2,372 sq. miles• Year of Legal Creation: 1958• President: Rotates among

member states• Language: German, the major

language of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is the most widely spoken mother tongue - over 19.8%; French 14.2%; English 13.7%; Italian 12.7%; Spanish 8.7%; Polish 8.5%; Others 22.4% - Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Gaelic, German, Greek, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Swedish

• Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.72%15-64 years: 67.16%65 years and over: 17.11%

• Religion:– Roman Catholic: 58%– Protestant: 20%– Orthodox: 3% – Muslim: 2%– Jewish: 0.2%– Other & unaffiliated: 16.8%

Page 4: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

European Union

• Political structure: A hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization

• Capitals: Brussels (Belgium)Strasbourg (France)

Luxembourg – 7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed

establishing the EU); – 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into

force)

Page 5: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine
Page 6: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The European Union: 493 million people – 27 countries

Member states of the European Union

Candidate countries

Page 7: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Founding fathers

New ideas for lasting peace and prosperity…

Konrad Adenauer

Robert Schuman

Winston Churchill

Alcide De Gasperi

Jean Monnet

Page 8: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The EU symbols

The European flagThe European anthem

Europe Day, 9 May

The motto: United in diversity

23 official languages

Page 9: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Eight enlargements

1952 1973 1981 1986

1990 1995 2004 2007

Page 10: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The big enlargement: healing the division of Europe

Fall of Berlin Wall – end of CommunismEU economic help begins: Phare programme

Criteria set for a country to join the EU:• democracy and rule of law• functioning market economy• ability to implement EU laws

Formal negotiations on enlargement begin

Copenhagen summit agrees enlargement

10 new EU members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia

1989

1992

1998

2002 2004

2007 Bulgaria and Romania join the EU

CandidatesCroatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey

© R

eude

rs

Page 11: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The treaties – basis for democratic cooperation built on law

1952The European Steel and Coal Community

1958The treaties of Rome:

The European Economic CommunityThe European Atomic Energy Community

(EURATOM)

1987The European Single Act:

the Single Market

1993Treaty of European Union

– Maastricht

1999Treaty of Amsterdam

2003Treaty of Nice

2007Treaty of Lisbon (signed)

Page 12: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The Lisbon treaty - taking Europe into the 21st century

The Treaty will make the European Union:

More efficient Simpler processes, full-time president for the Council, etc.

More democratic Stronger role for the European Parliament and national parliaments, "Citizens initiative", Charter of Fundamental Rights, etc.

More transparent Clarifies who does what, greater public access to documents and meetings, etc.

More united on High Representative for Foreign Policy, etc. the world stage

More secure New possibilities to fight climate change and terrorism, secure energy supplies, etc.

Signed in December 2007 – enter into force when ratified by all 27 EU countries.

Page 13: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

EU population in the world

Population in millions, 2007

497

1322

128 142

301

EU China Japan Russia United States

Page 14: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The area of the EU compared to the rest of the world

Surface area, 1 000 km²

EU China Japan Russia United States

16 889

9327 9159

4234

365

Page 15: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

How rich is the EU compared to the rest of the world?

EU China Japan Russia United States EU China Japan Russia United States

10 793

1 326

3676

468

10 035

24 700

6 400

27 800

10 000

37 300

Size of economy: Gross Domestic Product inbillion of euros, 2006

Wealth per person: Gross Domestic Productper person in Purchasing Power Standard, 2007

Page 16: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

How big are the EU countries?

Surface area 1 000 km²F

ran

ce

Sp

ain

Sw

ed

en G

erm

an

y

Po

lan

d

Fin

lan

d

Ita

ly

Un

ite

d K

ing

do

m

Ro

ma

nia

Gre

ec

e

Bu

lga

ria

Hu

ng

ary

Po

rtu

ga

l

Au

str

ia

Cze

ch

Re

pu

bli

c

Irel

an

d

Lit

hu

an

ia

La

tvia

Slo

va

kia

Est

on

ia

Den

ma

rk

Net

he

rla

nd

s

Bel

giu

m

Slo

ve

nia

Cyp

rus

Lu

xe

mb

urg

Ma

lta

54

4.0

50

6.0

41

0.3

35

7.0

31

2.7

30

4.5

29

5.1

24

3.8

23

0.0

13

0.7

11

1.0

93

.0

91

.9

82

.5

77

.3

68

.4

62

.7

62

.3

49

.0

43

.4

43

.1

33

.8

30

.3

20

.1

9.3

2.6

0.3

Page 17: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

How many people live in the EU?

Population in millions, 2007

497 million8

2.4

63

.4

60

.9

59

.1

44

.5

38

.2

21

.6

16

.3

11

.2

10

.6

10

.5

10

.3

10

.1

9.0

8.3

7.7

5.4

5.4 5.3

4.3

3.4

2.3

2.0

1.3

0.8

0.5

0.4

Fra

nc

e

Sp

ain

Sw

ed

en

Po

lan

d

Fin

lan

d

Ita

ly

Un

ite

d K

ing

do

m

Ro

ma

nia

Gre

ec

e

Bu

lga

ria

Hu

ng

ary

Po

rtu

ga

l

Au

str

ia

Cze

ch

Re

pu

bli

c

Irel

an

d

Lit

hu

an

ia

La

tvia

Slo

va

kia

Est

on

ia

Den

ma

rk

Net

he

rla

nd

s

Bel

giu

m

Slo

ve

nia

Cyp

rus

Lu

xe

mb

urg

Ma

lta

Ger

ma

ny

Page 18: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

GDP per inhabitant: the spread of wealth

GDP per inhabitants in Purchasing Power Standards, 2007

Index where the average of the 27 EU-countries is 100

280

144131 129 127 123 121 118 117 113 113

104 102 10094 89 87

79 77 7567 66 63 58 56 53

38 37

Lu

xe

mb

ou

rg

Irel

an

d

Net

he

rla

nd

s

Au

str

ia

Den

ma

rk

Bel

giu

m

Sw

ed

en

Un

ite

d K

ing

do

m

Fin

lan

d

Ger

ma

ny

Fra

nc

e

Ita

ly

Sp

ain

EU

-27

Cyp

rus

Gre

ec

e

Slo

ve

nia

Cze

ch

Re

pu

bli

c

Ma

lta

Po

rtu

ga

l

Est

on

ia

Hu

ng

ary

Slo

va

kia

Lit

hu

an

ia

La

tvia

Po

lan

d

Ro

ma

nia

Bu

lga

ria

Page 19: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

How is the EU’s money spent?

Total EU budget 2008: 129.1 billion euro

= 1.03% of Gross National Income

Citizens, freedom,security and justice

1%

Other, administration6%

Sustainable growth:new jobs, cohesion,

research45%

The EU as a global player:including development aid

6%

Natural resources:agriculture,

environment43%

Page 20: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Climate change – a global challenge

To stop global warming, EU leaders decided in 2007 to:

reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 (30% if other developed countries do likewise)

improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020 

raise the share of renewable energy to 20% by 2020 (wind, solar, hydro power, biomass)

Page 21: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Energy sources in a changing world

Types of fuel used for making energy in the 27 EU countries,

2005

Import dependency: share of fuel imported from outside the EU-countries, 2005

Oil37%

Gas35%

Nuclear14%Coal

18% Renewables7%

39%

82%

57%

100%

50%

OilCoal Gas Nuclear(uranium)

Renewables All types of fuel

0%

Page 22: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Jobs and growth

Challenges:

Demography: Europeans live longer, have fewer children Globalisation: European economy faces competition from other parts of the worldClimate change: Emission of greenhouse gases must come down

Solutions:

European leaders have therefore agreed on a joint strategy for:

More research and innovationA more dynamic business environmentInvesting in peopleA greener economy

Page 23: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Research - investing in the knowledge society

Spending on research and development in percentage of Gross Domestic Product, 2006

1.8%

3.0%

1.3%

2.6%

3.3%

EU EU objectivefor 2010

China Japan United States

Page 24: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Solidarity in practice: the EU cohesion policy

2007-2013: 347 billion euro invested for infrastructure, business, environment and training of workers for less well-off regions or citizens

Regional fund

Social fund

Cohesion fund

Convergence objective: regions with GDP per capita under 75% of the EU average. 81.5% of the funds are spent on this objective.

Regional competitiveness and employment objective.

Page 25: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The euro – a single currency for Europeans

EU countries using the euroEU countries not using the euro

Can be used everywhere in the euro area

Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common Notes: no national side

Page 26: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Beating inflation

European Economic and Monetary Union: stable prices

Average annual inflation in the 15 EU-countries that used the euro in 2008 

Page 27: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The single market: freedom of choice

Since 1993:

2.5 million new jobs prices of phone calls and airfares halved Four freedoms of movement:

goods

services

people

capital

© G

etty

Im

ages

Page 28: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Free to move

“Schengen”:

No police or customs checks at borders between most EU countries

Controls strengthened at EU external borders

More cooperation between police from different EU countries

You can buy and bring back any goods for personal use when you travel between EU countries

© C

orbi

s

Page 29: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Going abroad to learn

Over two million young people have studied or pursued personal development in other European countries with support from EU-programmes:

Comenius: school education

Erasmus: higher education

Leonardo da Vinci: vocational training

Grundtvig: adult education

Youth in Action: voluntary work and

non-formal education

© G

etty

Im

ages

Page 30: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Improving health and the environment

Pollution knows no borders – joint action needed

EU action has helped bring us:

Cleaner bathing waterMuch less acid rain Lead-free petrol Free and safe disposal of old electronic equipmentStrict rules on food safety from farm to fork More organic and quality farming More effective health warnings on cigarettesRegistration and control of all chemicals (REACH)

© V

an P

arys

Med

ia

Page 31: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

An area of freedom, security and justice

Charter of Fundamental Rights

Joint fight against terrorism

Police and law-enforcers from different countries cooperate

Coordinated asylum and immigration policies

Civil law cooperation

© E

urop

ean

Uni

on P

olic

e M

issi

on

Page 32: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The EU: an exporter of peace and prosperity

World trade rules

Common foreign and security policy

Development assistance and humanitarian aid

EU runs the peacekeeping operations and the rebuilding of society in

war-torn countries like Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Page 33: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The EU – a major trading power

Share of world trade in goods (2006)

Share of world trade in services (2005)

Others50.5%

EU17.1%

United States16%

Japan6.6%

China9.6%

Others44.9%

EU26%

United States18.4%

Japan6.9%

China3.8%

Page 34: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The EU is the biggest provider of development aid in the world

Official development assistance per citizen, 2007

93€

44€

53€

EU Japan United States

The EU provides 60% of all development aid

Page 35: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Three key players

The European Parliament- voice of the peopleHans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament

The council of Ministers- voice of the Member StatesJavier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy

The European Commission- promoting the common interestJosé Manuel Barroso, Presidentof the European Commission

Page 36: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Three pillars

The European Union

The Treaties

European Community

domain (most of common policies)

Common foreign and

security policy

Police and judicial

cooperation in criminal

matters

Page 37: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

European Parliament

The EU institutions

Court of Justice

Court of Auditors

Economic and Social Committee Committee of the Regions

Council of Ministers(Council of the EU) European Commission

European Investment Bank European Central BankAgencies

European Council (summit)

Page 38: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

How EU laws are made

Citizens, interests groups, experts: discuss, consult

Commission: makes formal proposal

Parliament and Council of Ministers: decide jointly

Commission and Court of Justice: monitor implementation

National or local authorities: implement

Page 39: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

United Kingdom

The European Parliament – voice of the people

13

24

78

78

14

Italy

Ireland

24Hungary

Greece

99Germany

France

Finland

6Estonia

14Denmark

24Czech Republic

6Cyprus

18Bulgaria

24Belgium

18Austria

Decides EU laws and budget together with Council of MinistersDemocratic supervision of all the EU’s work

Total 785

78

19Sweden

54Spain

7Slovenia

14Slovakia

35Romania

24Portugal

54Poland

27Netherlands

5Malta

6Luxembourg

13Lithuania

9Latvia

Number of members elected in each country

Page 40: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The European political parties

Number of seats in the European Parliament

per political group (March 2008)

European UnitedLeft - Nordic Green Left

41

Socialist Group215

Greens/EuropeanFree Alliance

43

Independence/Democracy

24

Alliance of Liberals andDemocrats for Europe101 European People’s Party

(Christian Democrats)and European Democrats288

Union for Europeof the Nations44

Non-attached members andtemporarily empty seats29

Total : 785

Page 41: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Council of Ministers – voice of the member states

One minister from each EU country

Presidency: rotates every six months

Decides EU laws and budget together

with Parliament

Manages the Common Foreign and

Security Policy

Page 42: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Council of Ministers – number of votes per country

345Total:

3Malta

4Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovenia

7Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Finland

10Austria, Bulgaria and Sweden

12Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary and Portugal

13Netherlands

14Romania

27Spain and Poland

29Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom

“Qualified majority” needed for many decisions:255 votes and a majority of member states

Page 43: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Summit at the European Council

Summit of heads of state and government of all EU countries

Heldat least 3 times a year Sets the overall guidelines for EU policies

Page 44: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The European Commission – promoting the common interest

27 independent members, one from each EU country

Proposes new legislationExecutive organ Guardian of the treatiesRepresents the EU on the international stage

Page 45: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The Court of Justice – upholding the law

27 independent judges, one from each EU country

Rules on how to interpret EU lawEnsures EU laws are used in the same way in all EU countries

Page 46: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The European Court of Auditors: getting value for your money

27 independent members

Checks that EU funds are used properly Can audit any person or organization dealing with EU funds

Page 47: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Ensures price stability

Controls money supply and decides interest rates

Works independently from governments

The European Central Bank:managing the euro

Jean-Claude Trichet President of the Central Bank

Page 48: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The European Economic and Social Committee:voice of civil society

344 members

Represents trade unions, employers, farmers, consumers etc

Advises on new EU laws and policies

Promotes the involvement of civil society in EU matters

Page 49: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

The Committee of the Regions:voice of local government

344 members

Represents cities, regions

Advises on new EU laws and policies

Promotes the involvement of local government in EU matters

Page 50: Politics in the European Union Comparative Politics Professor Paul M. Flor Chapter Nine

Civil servants working for the EU

Commission: about 24 000 civil servantsOther EU institutions: about 10 000 employed

Permanent civil servants

Selected by open competitions

Come from all EU countries

Salaries decided by law

EU administration costs 15 euro per EU citizen per year