Brant Beyer Program Manager. February 28, :00PM EST. This event is made possible by a grant from the European Union

Transcription

1 Brant Beyer Program Manager February 28, :00PM EST This event is made possible by a grant from the European Union

2 1. What is Supranationalism? 2. Supranationalism and the EU 3. What is devolution 4. How devolution works in the EU

3 Supranationalism: Having power above the nation or influence beyond that permitted to national governments Very different from supernationalism Intergovernmentalism: Results from co-operation or participation of the national governments Has no powers beyond those permitted by these governments

4 US Constitution European Union Articles of Confederation United Nations Supranationalism Intergovermentalism

5 27 European member states Population: ~ 500 million people (US: ~300 million) GDP: ~$18.5 trillion (US: ~$14.3 trillion) Area: 1.7 million square miles (US: 3.8 million) Independent countries pooling their sovereignty in shared institutions to create common policies The world s most deeply integrated system of regional inter-state cooperation

6

7 Peace and stability Democracy Economic growth Social solidarity Unity in diversity For instance, the EU has 23 official languages (all of the official languages of the member states) and all documents must be translated into each language 7

8 European Central Bank European Council Council of the European Union Represents the 27 Member States European Court of Justice Independent, but appointed by Member States European Commission European Parliament Appointed bureaucracy Directly elected

9 1952 The European Steel and Coal Community 1958 The treaties of Rome: The European Economic Community The European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) 2009 Treaty of Lisbon 1987 The European Single Act: the Single Market 2003 Treaty of Nice 1999 Treaty of Amsterdam 1993 Treaty of European Union Maastricht

10 1. States cede power to the EU Common Market Schengen Zone Emission Trading Scheme Euro Why cede power to the EU?

11 Supranationalist: European Central Bank controls euro monetary policy Intergovernmentalist: Two countries opted out, others slow to join 11

12 2. Europe as a single voice World Trade Organization Common Foreign and Security Policy 3. Concept of Europeanism Cosmopolitanism Welfarism Sustainable development Multiculturalism Secularism Perpetual peace Multilateralism

13 What is devolution? Transferring powers from central government to regions, provinces, states, etc. European examples: Belgium Spain Scotland New Medievalism With the EU, does Europe still need nationstates?

14 Source: Eurostat

15 2011: 51 billion (~$70 billion), 36% of total EU budget Historic vs. new boundaries

16 Source: Eurostat

17 Meuse-Rhine Euroregion Belgium (green) Netherlands (blue) Germany (red) Euroregion Tirol- Suedtirol-Trentino Austria Italy Source: Wikipedia

18 General definition: The decisions should be made at the lowest level of government that can effectively take the decision Implies a commitment to internal devolution of power within states Enshrined in the Treaty of Lisbon

19 344 members from all 27 Member States Issues reports ( opinions ) on Commission proposals The Commission, the Council and the Parliament must consult CoR decisions on matters concerning local and regional government (for example on employment policy, the environment, education or public health).

20 For more information, please contact the European Union Center! (812)