European Union And

Suprationalism

What is Supranationalism? When a number of

individual states come together to work together toward common goals.

Italy, Germany, and Greece all transformed from separate entities into single countries.

League of Nations and eventually the United Nations.

NATO, NAFTA, the Arab League, and the African Union.

The most successful example of supranationalism is the European Union.

What is the European Union? A collection of European

countries. They have worked together to

create a unique European wide market that has helped keep peace between the nations and raised the standard of living among all its’ citizens.

Border control has been removed between member countries, allowing for people to move freely among the E.U.

EU decisions are made by joint cooperation between a EU elected parliament, and the individual governments of each country.

Continued… In 1950 France, Belgium,

West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg united together in the European Coal and Steel Community.

The main goal was to make the countries of Europe interdependent on one another so that the continent wide wars of it’s past would stop.

Today there are 27 countries in the EU.

The member states work together today to maintain the interdependency that keeps Europe peaceful.

Supranationalistic Goals To strengthen

member’s economies through the reduction or removal of tariffs ex: “NAFTA”

To promote peace through interdependence ex: “EU”

To allow for the movement of people throughout member nations.

To protect each other, “strength in numbers.” ex: NATO

Economic Advantages European Union as

example Economic

interdependence started with Benelux countries, France, Germany reducing tariffs, trading of coal and steel more productive.

Reduction of tariffs allows for increased trade activity, trade flourishes and businesses are more successful.

Euro allows for more convenient exchange between countries

Peace Through Interdependence

For centuries Europe experienced war as the many countries fought one another.

By joining together into a supranational entity such as the EU, countries weave their economies together.

This interdependence ensures that countries will not go to war with one anther, because attacking one would affect the economy of the aggressor as well.

In terms of the EU, the Marshall Plan was the beginning of economic interdependence, as each country in Western Europe had to come together to work out how to spend the money.

Movement of People The European Union allows for the free movement of citizens amongst the member countriesThis freedom lessens the importance of boundaries and has eliminated the need for border control amongst the member nations. The movement of people allows for the spreading of different cultures and people, allowing for work opportunities along with a sense of being “European”

Supranationalism and nations

Supranationalism lessens the importance of nations.

Nations lack “lasting power”

Members of supranational organizations lose their independence, rely on supranational organization.

Nations will eventually become nation states in face of globalization and cultural melting pot.

Flaws in supranationalismSupranational unions can bring down a strong countries economy by helping other culture.“Cultural Hybridization” can lead to the destruction of nations own culture.Supranational unions broad laws and regulations do not fit in with every countries situation perfectly.Supranationalism can lead to oppression ex: USSR

Supranationalism as the FutureSupranationalism and Globalization go “hand in hand”Western culture spreading through world leads to a standardized culture Independent nations can form under supranational organizations with the increase in similarities.Isolationism has proven not to work ex: Cuba, North KoreaLarge supranational organizations will be primary way for nations to have global impact.