The European Union: how does it work?
Chapter 1 – introduction
Studying the EU
European Integration finds its most difficult time in from 2009 and on, due to the financial crises
and its consequences (issues of legitimacy, gains for anti-EU parties in the election of European
Parliament). BUT: has also been the most successful international corporation in history.
Debates exist about European Integration on sovereignty, democracy and the future of the nation
state.
The three pillars of the European Union
Pillars Policy responsibilities Decision-making style
1 European Community Internal market Primarily supranational
the first pillar of EU Relaties policies commission, council, court and
responsibilities with more Economic and monetary Union parliament act with a significant
extension over time Immigration asylum, visas autonomy over national govs.
2 Common foreign and security Common policy positions on Primarily intergovernmental
policy foreign policy between govs, by unanimity and
Common action to strengthen without a separate legal framework
security of the EU (no direct influence)
Preserve peace
Promote international
coorporation
3 Justice and home affairs Cross-border crime criminal law Primarily intergovernmental
(+ after 1997 Police Judicial Police cooperation unanimity over member govs was
Coorperation in Criminal required for decisions.
matters)
intention: increase
cooperation in international
security (fight international
crime and drugs trade)
Treaty reforms could make policy responsibilities shift to another pillar and so change nature of
decision-making.
Why bother?
- EU has a significant practical impact in a wide area: market, legislation, currency, wealth,
trade, aid
- EU is analytically important: effects of globalization and the future of nation states
- EU is a political puzzle: one of the biggest economies on the one hand and Eurosceptic states
on the other hand (fall in trust in the EU):
EU’s institutions ( viewed as complex or not even worth bothering):
1. European commission
2. European council
3. European Parliament
Key concepts and terms on page 10.
1
Chapter 1 – introduction
Studying the EU
European Integration finds its most difficult time in from 2009 and on, due to the financial crises
and its consequences (issues of legitimacy, gains for anti-EU parties in the election of European
Parliament). BUT: has also been the most successful international corporation in history.
Debates exist about European Integration on sovereignty, democracy and the future of the nation
state.
The three pillars of the European Union
Pillars Policy responsibilities Decision-making style
1 European Community Internal market Primarily supranational
the first pillar of EU Relaties policies commission, council, court and
responsibilities with more Economic and monetary Union parliament act with a significant
extension over time Immigration asylum, visas autonomy over national govs.
2 Common foreign and security Common policy positions on Primarily intergovernmental
policy foreign policy between govs, by unanimity and
Common action to strengthen without a separate legal framework
security of the EU (no direct influence)
Preserve peace
Promote international
coorporation
3 Justice and home affairs Cross-border crime criminal law Primarily intergovernmental
(+ after 1997 Police Judicial Police cooperation unanimity over member govs was
Coorperation in Criminal required for decisions.
matters)
intention: increase
cooperation in international
security (fight international
crime and drugs trade)
Treaty reforms could make policy responsibilities shift to another pillar and so change nature of
decision-making.
Why bother?
- EU has a significant practical impact in a wide area: market, legislation, currency, wealth,
trade, aid
- EU is analytically important: effects of globalization and the future of nation states
- EU is a political puzzle: one of the biggest economies on the one hand and Eurosceptic states
on the other hand (fall in trust in the EU):
EU’s institutions ( viewed as complex or not even worth bothering):
1. European commission
2. European council
3. European Parliament
Key concepts and terms on page 10.
1
