introduction to the history of the eu and its political system

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Introduction to the History of the EU and its political system

Dr. Philippe [email protected]

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Objectives of the course

• Introduction to the History of the EU• Better understand how it works

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Methods

• Introduction to 4 different topics• Discussion at the end of each session

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4 different topics

1. The Second World War and the first attempts to unite Europe

2. The 3 main tensions in the EU system3. The Policies of the EU4. The Politics of the EU

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The EU in concentric circles

Is Europe a continent like others ?

How big ?

Europe = ? km2

Europe = 10 millions km2

China = ?


China = 9.4 millions km2

Africa ?



Africa = 30 millions km2



Africa = 30 millions km2

North America = 30 millions km2

A Continent full of states

How many states in Africa ?

54 + South SoudanLibya (1 or 2 states?)

How many states in Europe ?10 millions km2

What is Europe ?

An idea

A continent

A handful of institutions

A Continent

Europe and its states

The oldest ?

The newest?

Europe and its regions

Plenty of regions = plenty of problems

State = culture = perception

A good Eurocrat knows everythingabout EU institutions

A true European knows at least something about:

Inst

utitio

ns

PEOPLEHistory

R e l i g i o n s

warPeaceErasmus

BERLINWALL Stefan Szweig

NAPOLEONLA

LET

TON

IE

M ONNET

COUDENHOVEkalergi

ART Kant

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Introduction

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ECC 1957 and Charlemagne

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Richard Coudenhove Kalergi and the Paneuropa Movement

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Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi

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Pan-Europa Flag

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Aristide Briand and the Franco-German attempt(Aristide Briand)

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Jean Monnet and the practical way to unite Europe

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Jean Monnet

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I. The Second World War and the functionalist idea

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The Council of Europe

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Council of Europe

- 47 countries- Mainly Human Rights- European Court of Human Rights- Strasbourg

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The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

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The Schuman Declaration – 9th May 1950

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1950: the ECSC

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1949:NATO

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1953: the opposition to the European Defence Community

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From the ECSC to the EEC

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The ECSC institutional framework

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The High Authority

Council of Ministers The European Parliament

Court of Justice

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The High Authority

Composition- 2 Germany- 2 France- 2 Italy- 1 Belgium- 1 Nederland- 1 Luxembourg

Powers- propose legislation- execute the decisions

Seat- Luxembourg

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Council of Ministers

Composition- One Minister per Member State

Powers- control the HA on issues related to Coal and Steel- consent legislation in other fields

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The European Parliament

Composition- 78 members coming from national Parliaments

Powers- 2/3 can vote defiance over the HA- oral and written questions

Seat- Strasbourg

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The ECC institutional framework

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The European Commission

Composition- 2 Germany- 2 France- 2 Italy- 1 Belgium- 1 Nederland- 1 Luxembourg

Powers- propose legislation- control the competition policy

Seat- Brussels

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Composition- One Minister per Member State- Different composition depending of the subject

Powers- Decide by unanimity or QMV on propositions sent by the EC- Executive powers

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The European Parliament

Composition- 78 members coming from national Parliament – directly elected after 1979

Powers- 51% can vote defiance over the EC- oral and written questions- examination of the ECC BudgetSeat- Strasbourg

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1950’s and 1970’s crises

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1965 Empty Chair crisis

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European Commission


Court of JusticeEuropean

Council

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1979 first direct elections of the EP

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1979. Thatcher and the UK contribution

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European Commission



Council

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The Enlargement issue

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1995: Enlargement of the EU

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How does it work? (since the Maastricht Treaty 1992)

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€

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European Commission



Council

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European Council

- Facilitate communication among Europeans

- Foster the realization of the Single Market

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European Commission


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European Commission


Court of Justice

apply

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The European Union in 2012

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IV. What is Europe doing?

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The EU Budget

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The EU Budget

147 billions

(2012)

- Own resources (tariffs)- VAT (value added tax) resources- contribution by Member States based on their GNI/EU GNI

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The EU Budget

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Exclusive Shared Ad hoc Contribution (no EU competence)

•Tariff Union•Competition policy• Euro currency• Sea resources• Commercial policy• Some international agreements

• Internal Market• Social policies• Cohesion• Agriculture / Fisheries• Environment• Transports• Energy• Research• Home / Justice Affairs• Cooperation and aid

• Coordination of economic policies• Foreign policies

• Health• Industry• Culture• Tourism• Education• Civil protection• Defence• Administrative cooperation

EU Competencies

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The EU as an International actor

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The EU in concentric circles

introduction to the history of the eu and its political system

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