The European Union

The Origins of the EU

Aims:

• When the EU first began.• The aims of the EU.• The current membership of the EU• The conditions for becoming a

member

How Did the EU Begin?• By 1945 two world wars had

devastated Europe.• Countries believed that if

they worked together their economies would improve faster, people would have jobs and governments would be stable.

• The EU first began in 1951• 6 original members –

Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany and Netherlands.

• It is an economic alliance but it also has political benefits as well.

Aims of the European Union

• Improve living standards for people living in poorer regions.

• Make laws/regulations the same for all countries in the EU e.g. weights and measurements.

• All people in the EU can live, study and work in any of the member countries.

• Free trade between EU countries – no taxes on good and services.

Aims of the European Union

• Improve economic growth, provide jobs and better working conditions.

• EU encourages members to cooperate over common issues e.g. human rights, terrorism etc (Political).

• EU speaks for its members to other international organisations e.g. NAT0 or powerful countries e.g. USA. (Political)

Joining the European Union

In order to join a country has to:

• Be democratic and respect human rights.

• Run their economies properly e.g. the government of country is sensible about how much money its spends.

• Change any laws which clash with EU laws.

Current Membership27 Countries are currently members of the EU = 501 million people

Croatia is due to join on the 1st July 2013

Current candidates for membership include Turkey, Montenegro, Iceland and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Tasks

Collect a map of Europe. Using three different colours shade in:

• The current members of the EU.• The next new member – Croatia.• Countries who are candidates for

membership.

Funding the EU

Aims:

• Examine how the EU is funded and what it spends its money on.

The Institutions of the EU

Aims:

• Examine the main institutions of the EU and the role they play.

Sovereignty• The EU is made up of 27 independent

countries.• Each country has the power to run their

own affairs and make their own laws – this is known as SOVEREIGNTY.

• However when countries join the EU they give up a little of their sovereignty to the EU so that it can make laws which will improve peoples’ lives in Europe.

• It is fair to say that UK governments have always been concerned about giving up more sovereignty to the EU.

The Council of the European Union

• Made up of Government Minsters from each of the countries.

• They represent the interests of the governments of each country.

• For important decisions, it is Prime Ministers, Presidents and Chancellors who meet to represent the views of their countries.

• The Council is headed by a President who is in office for two and a half years.

The European Parliament

• Made up of 785 elected representatives known as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

• They are elected to represent the interests of EU citizens.

• Elections take place every 5 years.• Countries must use a form of PR – they are

free to decide which system to use.• The UK has 72 MEPs and uses a regional

list system.

The Commission• Each country appoints one Commissioner.• The Commission focuses on the interests of

Europe as a whole, not on individual countries.

• It organises the day to day running of the EU

The Court of Justice• Each country appoints one judge to the

Court of Justice.• It is responsible for making sure that EU

laws are fairly applied in all countries.• Its decisions are binding on member

countries i.e. they have to obey.

Recent EU Laws

• Mobile Phone tariffs – EU set a price cap on the cost of making and receiving phone calls while abroad.

• Working Time Directive – no employee in the EU should have to work more than an overage of 48 hours a week – the UK government negotiated an opt-out – they do not have to obey this law.

• Air Fare Advertising – airlines have to display the total airfare including taxes and charges.

Benefits of EU Membership

Aims:

Examine the main benefits of EU Membership:

• Single market.• Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)• Common Fisheries Policy• Regional Policy• EURO

Common Agricultural Policy

Aims:

• Help farmers grow crops/rear cattle and have a good income.

• Provide food in the shops at reasonable prices.

How Does CAP Work?• In many EU countries farming is a

very important industry e.g. France, Spain and Germany.

• EU spends nearly half its budget on CAP.

• Farmers are given subsidies (grants of money) for crops/livestock. This means they get a fair price for what they produce.

• EU buys up surplus food to stop prices from falling.

The Benefits of CAP

Benefits For Ordinary People………• Food prices are stable• Few shortages of any main food

products• Wider choice of products from EU

countries.Benefits For Farmers….• Guaranteed prices and a basic

income.• Grants and subsidies to improve

equipment and farming methods.

Common Fisheries Policy• EU fisherman have equal access to fishing

grounds but UK fishermen have exclusive fishing rights up to six miles off the UK coast.

• Due to concerns about over-fishing the EU has introduced quotas i.e. fishermen are only allowed to catch a certain amount of certain species of fish.

• Fishing boats were also decommissioned – owners were paid a sum of money to scrap their boats and give up their fishing licenses.

• Since 2000, there has been a 30% reduction in active fishing vessels in Scotland.

Benefits of Fisheries Policy• Benefits countries with a strong

fishing industry.• Quotas protect fish stocks• Safer fishing – EU has put in place

strict safety guidelines for fishing boats.

Single MarketThe main benefits are:

• Goods are bought and sold more easily – this helps countries to become wealthier.

• People have the freedom to work and travel – more education and employment opportunities.

• Businesses buy goods – pay no taxes – they can sell products at a cheaper price.

• EU citizens can buy quality goods at cheaper prices.

Regional PolicyAim: Improve living standards in poorer

communities of the EU.

• EU has different funds which give money to poorer regions.

• Help to develop infrastructure e.g. roads, railways, power supplies – this will encourage businesses to move into an area.

• Provide funding to help start up new businesses.• Provide funding for projects that develop tourism.• EU funding must be matched by at least as much

money from national or local government.

Regional Policy – Scottish Examples

EU Has Helped to Fund the Following Projects:

• University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) –helped UHI develop and attract students to study and work in the area.

• Rosyth Ferry Terminal – main sea route from Scotland to Europe. Encouraged tourists to visit Scotland and UK.

• Falkirk Wheel – help tourism in an area of high unemployment.

• Renewable Energy Projects – in Orkney, Shetland (Jan 2012)

• Superfast Broadband Plan (Feb 2012) – improve broadband speeds in Scotland. This will help businesses to attract customers in Europe and wider world.

The Euro

Aims:

• Identify when the Euro was introduced

• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of joining the Euro.

The Euro

• The Euro was introduced in 1999 but coins and paper were not used until 2002.

• 16 countries currently use the Euro – this is known as the Eurozone.

• It is the second most important currency in the world after the US dollar.

•17 EU member states have adopted the Euro

•8 states e.g. Poland are obliged to join the Euro when their economies are ready

•The UK has an opt-out clause and has not joined the Euro.

The Eurozone

The EURO Question

• Britain choose not to join the Euro.• The British government has promised

that if the economy passes five economic tests they will hold a referendum on the issue. Some of the tests include whether joining the single currency would be good for jobs.

• People in Britain fear that we will lose some of our sovereignty i.e the ability to rule our country independently.

• Others argue it is a step towards a ‘United States of Europe’

Attitudes To The Euro

• Labour party is in favour of joining the EURO when the conditions are right.

• Conservative party are divided but most oppose the EURO.

• Liberal Democrats and the SNP have been most in favour of joining the EURO.

• However the British public are very much against the EURO – in 2009, 71% were opposed with only 23% in favour.

The Euro Debate

Arguments For the Euro

Arguments Against the Euro

The Euro – For or Against?

• It will lead to a loss of sovereignty (independence).

• Easier for businesses to buy and sell goods in Europe – they will face fewer charges.

• Euro is a stronger currency than the £ - UK citizens have to pay more for goods from EU countries.

• The British economy could be pulled down by weaker economies.

• Euro has led to greater European integration – if countries work together there is less chance of future conflict.

The Euro – For or Against?

• It will encourage foreign companies to invest in Britain.

• The government may not be able to control the economy in the best interests of its citizens – it will have to follow EU policy.

• Britain should consider the benefits – other countries have not lost their identity or independence.

• The British economy is different to the rest of Europe – joining the Euro will damage the economy.

• It would benefit tourists who would not have to change their currency.

The Euro – Arguments For

• Easier for businesses to boy and sell goods in Europe – they will face fewer charges.

• It would benefit tourists who would not have to change their currency.

• Britain should consider the benefits – other countries have not lost their identity or independence.

• Euro is a stronger currency than the £ - UK citizens have to pay more for goods from EU countries.

• It will encourage foreign companies to invest in Britain.

• Euro has led to greater European integration – if countries work together there is less chance of future conflict.

The Euro – Arguments Against

• The government may not be able to the control the economy in the best interests of its citizens – it will have to follow EU policy.

• The British economy is different to the rest of Europe – joining the Euro will damage the economy.

• The British economy could be pulled down by weaker economies.

• It will lead to a loss of sovereignty (independence).

The Greek Crisis• For several years, the Greek government has

borrowed heavily to pay for spending - by 2009, Greece had debts of 300 billion euros (£272 billion).

• By 2010, concerns about the debts of countries such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal caused the value of the Euro to fall.

• Greece has now received two financial bailouts from the Eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

• In return the Greek government has to introduce ‘austerity’ measures e.g. higher taxes, 15,000 public sector job losses.

• All of this has caused riots/demonstrations in the country.

• If the Greek government goes bankrupt and can’t repay its debts this will damage the economies of other Eurozone countries.

Enlarging the EU

Aim:

• Identify countries who wish to join the EU.

• Examine the arguments for and against enlarging the EU.

Current Membership27 Countries are currently members of the EU = 501 million people

Croatia is due to join on the 1st July 2013

Current candidates for membership include Turkey, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Iceland and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Croatia

Macedonia

Turkey

Serbia

Albania

Iceland

Candidates for Membership

• Albania – weak economy, too much organised crime and corruption

• Bosnia-Herzegovina - still a EU peacekeeping force in the country, democracy is weak.

• Turkey – concerns about freedom of speech, women’s rights and democracy.

Joining the European Union

In order to join a country has to:

• Be democratic and respect human rights.

• Have a market economy that is strong enough to be part of the EU.

• Change any laws which clash with EU laws.

Why Do Countries Want to Join?

• Access to a market of nearly 500 million people – helps their economy to grow.

• Access to EU funds to help agriculture, fishing and industry e.g. CAP.

• Many new members are smaller countries – feel more secure being part of a large organisation.

Enlarging The European Union – Impact on Current Members

Advantages• Increases size of population – producers

can sell more goods.• New member countries have low wage

rates – businesses can move there to cut cost.

• Workers move to parts of the EU and do jobs that citizens in that country do not want to do e.g. Eastern European workers in Scotland in industries such as tourism.

• Makes the EU more stable and secure – countries who work together are less likely to fight one another.

Enlarging The European Union – Impact on Current Members

Disadvantages• New EU members tend to be poor

countries who need help to improve agriculture and industry.

• Agricultural is a big part of their economies – can cause food overproduction which the EU has to sort out.

• Large number of migrant workers move to richer EU countries – causes tension.

• If businesses move to new member countries this causes unemployment in wealthier EU countries..

European Defence Force• EU members work together to try and

protect people from conflict and its effects – this includes countries outwith the EU.

• The EU does not have its own army – it relies on member countries to contribute forces to help in situations.

• Bosnia-Herzegovina – EU provided over 6,000 troops for peace-keeping duties.

• Indonesia – after the 2004 tsunami EU sent troops to provide humanitarian aid.

• Georgia – in 2008 EU helped to arrange a ceasefire between Georgia and Russia.

• EU also has two forces of 1,500 ‘rapid response’ troops who can respond to an emergency situation.

Enquiry Skills – Attitude SurveyYou are investigating the issue of ‘BritainJoining the Euro’.

You have decided to carry out an attitude survey.

Give two relevant questions which you could include in your survey. (4

marks)

Enquiry Skills – Attitude SurveyYou are investigating the issue of ‘British Membership of the European Union’.

You have decided to carry out an attitude survey to find out the views of the British

public about the EU.

Give two relevant questions which you could include in your survey. (4 marks)

Enquiry Skills – Attitude SurveyMarking Checklist:

• Is it an appropriate question i.e. – opinion, motivation or classification?

• Is the question clearly written? Do you understand what it is asking?

• Is there an appropriate choice of answers?

Mark each question out of 2 marks.

Enquiry Skills – Attitude Survey1. Do you think Britain should join the Euro?

Yes No Don’t Know?

2. Why do you think Britain should join the Euro?Please tick what you think is the most important reason.

Easier for touristsBenefits to the British economyHelp Britain maintain a strong position within the EU.

EU – End of Unit Test

You should revise:

• Aims of the European Union• Benefits of European Union – Single

Market, CAP, Euro, Structural Funds• Enlarging the EU – arguments for and

against

KU Test - 20 mins