The European Union

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The European Union

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Abstract

The European Union, which formed under this name in 1992, currently consists of 25 nations and covers much of Western Europe. The European Union is an enormous organization that was initially created to maintain peace and security between European states through various political and economic arrangements. Each E.U. member state is a democratic, independent nation, and it is represented in a complicated European system that integrates these independent states into what has become the world's largest economic organization. Originally, the intention of this union was to prevent hostilities between European nations, mainly France and Germany, before they arise.

Introduction to the European Union
Formation of the European Union
1. The idea of union between European nations
2. The idead of economic integration
3. The European Union as it stands today
The council of the European Union
1. The meeting of the European Council
2. The organization of the council
3. The financial aspect of the European Union
The European Commission
1. Background
2. The responsibilities of the Commission
3. The powers that the European Commission wields
4. Setting the budget for the European Union
The European Parliament
1. The set up of the Parliment
2. The power of the parliment
Current views on the interactions of European institutions and their affect on European integration
1. Tensions between the institutions
2. Unmotivated and uninterested EU citizens
3. Proposals made by Sarkozy
4. The rule regarding unanimous decision-making
5. Controversies surrounding the EU
The positive and negative affects of this political structure on the European Union as a whole
1. Obstacles between member states
2. The environment as an important issue
3. The question of the war in Iraq
4. The problem of taxing
Conclusion
Bibliography

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[...] This is just one example in which an institution within the European Union acted with little regard towards EU citizens, or at least this was the way the media chose to spin it. The point is that in order for the European Union to succeed as an institution, it must have the unwavering support of its citizens, a stable economy, and leaders with a vision who are willing to take risks. Given that the European Union represents about half a billion people with conflicting interests, lifestyles, languages, and points of view, it is no surprise that conflicts between the institutions as well as tensions between political factions exist. [...]

[...] The overall European Union as envisioned by its founders, Monnet and Schuman, has remained remarkably stable. The original intention of was to provide European with a federalist union, somewhat similar to that of the United States, with all democratic processes such as a parliamentary assembly and a court system.(Pinder 10). In order to understand the forces that eventually formed that European Union, it is important to note some of the major treaties that shaped it. In 1952, the Schuman Plan was an important step toward European integration. [...]

[...] The Parliament also obtained the power to approve or disapprove the appointment of new commissions within the European Union (Pinder 28). It was only after this treaty that the name of this union became known as the European Union. Before the Amsterdam Treaty went into force in 1999, a unanimous decision between the member states was essential before new legislation could pass. The intention of the Amsterdam Treaty was to fortify the European Union and ensure that such a policy does not weaken the stability of the institution. [...]

[...] The financial aspect of the European Union is an important responsibility that deserves some attention. The Council, together with the European Parliament, has the responsibility of approving budgets and deciding where money from European financial institutions will be headed. Another essential clause for the unification of independent states is the integration of the court systems, or the responsibility known as “Freedom, Security, and Justice” (http://europa.eu/institutions). An important function of the Council is to ensure that all legal decisions affecting EU citizens are in effect across all member states. [...]

[...] At first, the European Union is growing so large that it has become difficult to control and sustain. With four new members on the waiting list, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Turkey, (Bulgaria and Romania will be members in 2007) many believe that the European Union will become too large to remain effective (Bitterlich 96). Before a nation can join, it must be fully prepared for membership, and Bitterlich argues that the policies towards integration have slackened and that not enough is being done to ensure that these nations do in fact deserve membership. [...]

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