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Very Short Introductions #036
Europese Unie
Hoe is de Europese Unie (EU) ontstaan en gegroeid? Hoe werkt de EU? Waar is de EU goed voor? Hoe ziet de toekomst van de EU eruit? Dit deeltje geeft op al deze actuele vragen een overzichtelijk en beknopt antwoord. De auteurs onderzoeken de toekomst van de EU en de uitdagingen en keuzes die haar in de 21ste eeuw te wachten staan. Elementaire Deeltjes is een serie boekjes van AUP die kennis toegankelijk maakt voor een breed publiek. Het is de manier om snel kennis op te doen over onderwerpen die je interesseren. Experts nemen je mee op een ontdekkingsreis waarbij elk thema in de meest beknopte vorm volledig uitgediept wordt. De handige en handzame boekjes geven altijd antwoord op de vraag: 'Hoe zit dat nu eigenlijk?'
204 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 9, 2019
I am reviewing the third edition of this work. It carries through to the changes implemented up to the year 2013. Clearly further editions will be necessary-- a fourth edition has already come into print but is not available in audio format. Brexit is not covered.
Britain’s reluctance to fully support the European Union is shown to be by no means a new phenomenon. Their reluctance has been visible from the very start. Understanding how it has come to be that Britain will be leaving the Union is shown in the book by covering their and other member states’ involvement and participation historically.
The book focuses to a large extent on how the European Union has developed over the years; its primary focus is historical. The succession of treaties that have made the Union what it is today is the primary basis of the book. Is this what is needed? I do not think so. What is needed instead is a book that educates ordinary people so they better understand how EU functions today and how it can be used to attain goals promoting peace, democracy and economic prosperity, the promotion of human rights, protection of the environment and equality between the sexes, different races, cultures and beliefs.
The book is factually accurate and balanced.
There are all too many bland statements and obvious generalizations.
Terms used only in the European Union pepper the text, some of which are not even defined. One example is the word “acquis”, which is a collective term covering all treaties, regulations and directives between EU member states.
There is an excessive use of acronyms.
All too often general statements are made that can be interpreted in different ways. This is because so many of the words employed have specific EU definitions, the result being that the general public may easily misinterpret what is said. There exists a plethora of terms which in the EU context have a specific definition that differs from the words’ normal meaning.
The second chapter lies at the core of the book. It is the chapter that must be read carefully. If you can get your head around that, you will understand the rest. It is dense. Explanations are stripped down to the bare minimum. An average reader will have difficulties. There is a lot of repetition in the following chapters.
Some chapter titles do not properly explain what the given chapter will cover.
The audiobook is read by David De Santos. He articulates every word clearly and reads at a slow pace which is necessary for a document such as this. His performance I have rated five stars.
***************************
The book is covered in a group (Nonfction Side Reads) discussion here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Britain’s reluctance to fully support the European Union is shown to be by no means a new phenomenon. Their reluctance has been visible from the very start. Understanding how it has come to be that Britain will be leaving the Union is shown in the book by covering their and other member states’ involvement and participation historically.
The book focuses to a large extent on how the European Union has developed over the years; its primary focus is historical. The succession of treaties that have made the Union what it is today is the primary basis of the book. Is this what is needed? I do not think so. What is needed instead is a book that educates ordinary people so they better understand how EU functions today and how it can be used to attain goals promoting peace, democracy and economic prosperity, the promotion of human rights, protection of the environment and equality between the sexes, different races, cultures and beliefs.
The book is factually accurate and balanced.
There are all too many bland statements and obvious generalizations.
Terms used only in the European Union pepper the text, some of which are not even defined. One example is the word “acquis”, which is a collective term covering all treaties, regulations and directives between EU member states.
There is an excessive use of acronyms.
All too often general statements are made that can be interpreted in different ways. This is because so many of the words employed have specific EU definitions, the result being that the general public may easily misinterpret what is said. There exists a plethora of terms which in the EU context have a specific definition that differs from the words’ normal meaning.
The second chapter lies at the core of the book. It is the chapter that must be read carefully. If you can get your head around that, you will understand the rest. It is dense. Explanations are stripped down to the bare minimum. An average reader will have difficulties. There is a lot of repetition in the following chapters.
Some chapter titles do not properly explain what the given chapter will cover.
The audiobook is read by David De Santos. He articulates every word clearly and reads at a slow pace which is necessary for a document such as this. His performance I have rated five stars.
***************************
The book is covered in a group (Nonfction Side Reads) discussion here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
May 8, 2019
Thoughts soon.
May 15, 2019
I read the 2018 edition of the book, and overall, I found it very informative about the EU- how it started, through its evolution, and the EU's goals and impact today. We also get sone analysis about the relationship of the US to the EU. But, we also get a helpful view into Brexit, and some of the very real dangers ahead for the EU- questions about its survival.
June 16, 2014
I am a bit fan of Oxford University Press' very Short Introduction series, even if they are a bit hit or miss (with the vast majority being hit!). It makes sense that the European Union would be the subject of one of the VSI booklets. John Pinder wrote the first edition, while later editions have been co-written with Simon Usherwood. The third edition was published in 2013 and is fully revised to include the Lisbon Treaty. It gives concise overviews of the history, key institutions, main policy areas, and enlargement process of the European Union. The tone is relatively neutral, except for the very Europhile conclusion. It is also (too much) geared towards a British (rather than European or world) audience.
Overall, the book is well written, but it does require quite some previous knowledge about European history, politics and societies. Even I found it at times a bit too demanding, despite being a European political science professor specialized in European politics! I used it in a summer course on the European Union at a US university, thinking the students would appreciate a short and fairly general introduction, rather than the often over-detailed and technical regular textbooks. Instead, they felt overwhelmed by all the information and often confused about the exact meaning of everything.
Overall, the book is well written, but it does require quite some previous knowledge about European history, politics and societies. Even I found it at times a bit too demanding, despite being a European political science professor specialized in European politics! I used it in a summer course on the European Union at a US university, thinking the students would appreciate a short and fairly general introduction, rather than the often over-detailed and technical regular textbooks. Instead, they felt overwhelmed by all the information and often confused about the exact meaning of everything.
June 19, 2014
2013 edition.
A bizarre little book that spends too much time trying to convince the reader that European Federalism is the inevitable future and that intergovernmentalism is a weakness. It overtly advocates further integration, abandoning unanimous voting (to expedite legislation so nations can be overruled), Europe as a superstate of 'soft power', and both geographical and policy expansion. The entirety of the argument appears to rest on the idea that Europe, as compared to individual nations, is treated on par with the United States.
I think its lack of objectivity makes it unsuitable as a brief introductory work. It might appeal to someone in search of partisan reading.
A bizarre little book that spends too much time trying to convince the reader that European Federalism is the inevitable future and that intergovernmentalism is a weakness. It overtly advocates further integration, abandoning unanimous voting (to expedite legislation so nations can be overruled), Europe as a superstate of 'soft power', and both geographical and policy expansion. The entirety of the argument appears to rest on the idea that Europe, as compared to individual nations, is treated on par with the United States.
I think its lack of objectivity makes it unsuitable as a brief introductory work. It might appeal to someone in search of partisan reading.
February 2, 2019
دخلت الكتاب ببعض المعلومات عن الاتحاد الأوروبي وخرجت منه بلا شئ جديد. غير منظم ولا يعطي ترتيب منطقي للاحداث بل يقفز قفزات طويلة ولا ترتيب تاريخي.
والترجمة أيضاً كانت سيئة للغاية مما زاد الطين بلة.
September 12, 2019
It is not very often that one can come across such a read on the EU. Yes, it has the facts side of a textbook but it also has this nice narrative line where different member states' interests are explained and the way they led to certain important EU decisions on many tangible topics, e.g. why France wanted the euro, why Germany could not afford to oppose it despite the stability of the Deutschmark. And as much as i find this natural when talking about events that happened back then an the dawn of the European communities, as these are perceived as history today, i find it even more curious for events that are closer to date - it is nice to know that such an approach can be found in a book, not (only) the press.
Very useful small book i used as a memory refresher.
Very useful small book i used as a memory refresher.
October 4, 2013
European Union is one of the most ambitious and expansive political projects in history. Its ultimate goal, it is now quite clear, is the unification of almost all of Europe into a single political entity. The project has grown from its rather modest origins from a purely economic organization into what is now one of the most important political and economic unions in the World. However, both the path to this point and the future ahead are beset by numerous challenges.
I’ve been eying this short introduction for a long time. As someone who is originally from Europe and who still has the majority of the family members living there, I cannot really afford to be ignorant of the events on that continent and its political structure. However, I am now glad that I’ve waited to purchase this book in its third edition, since it now includes mentioning of Croatia. Since I am now officially an EU citizen, I have even more reasons to try to understand it the best I can. After reading this book I certainly have much more appreciation for all the intricacies of the EU’s political mechanisms.
This is a very detailed book with a lot of information and facts strewn throughout its slim 150 pages. It takes a largely chronological approach to the Europe’s integration, and goes into some detail in explaining various policy decisions. The book assumes a fairly neutral point of view, aiming to inform the reader rather than to shape his or her opinions. The third edition is thoroughly updated and includes all the major developments up to 2013. However, as witnessed by the tumultuousness of the ongoing economic crisis, all of the European institutions are still in the state of flux, and it is very likely that the fourth edition of this book will be in order before too long.
Even though the book is well written and extremely informative, it is still a pretty dry read. Various policies, political and economic maneuvers can feel rather esoteric, technical and opaque. The book’s view of EU is highly institutional, without much scope for deeper ideas or relevance to the daily lives of most Europeans. This is probably the reflection of how most Eurocrats view their project: as an ongoing bureaucratic venture that is almost an end in itself. There might be many virtues to this attitude, but it sure doesn’t manage to inspire.
I’ve been eying this short introduction for a long time. As someone who is originally from Europe and who still has the majority of the family members living there, I cannot really afford to be ignorant of the events on that continent and its political structure. However, I am now glad that I’ve waited to purchase this book in its third edition, since it now includes mentioning of Croatia. Since I am now officially an EU citizen, I have even more reasons to try to understand it the best I can. After reading this book I certainly have much more appreciation for all the intricacies of the EU’s political mechanisms.
This is a very detailed book with a lot of information and facts strewn throughout its slim 150 pages. It takes a largely chronological approach to the Europe’s integration, and goes into some detail in explaining various policy decisions. The book assumes a fairly neutral point of view, aiming to inform the reader rather than to shape his or her opinions. The third edition is thoroughly updated and includes all the major developments up to 2013. However, as witnessed by the tumultuousness of the ongoing economic crisis, all of the European institutions are still in the state of flux, and it is very likely that the fourth edition of this book will be in order before too long.
Even though the book is well written and extremely informative, it is still a pretty dry read. Various policies, political and economic maneuvers can feel rather esoteric, technical and opaque. The book’s view of EU is highly institutional, without much scope for deeper ideas or relevance to the daily lives of most Europeans. This is probably the reflection of how most Eurocrats view their project: as an ongoing bureaucratic venture that is almost an end in itself. There might be many virtues to this attitude, but it sure doesn’t manage to inspire.
January 19, 2020
I had never read any book on the EU before but this seemed to me to be a decent introduction to its history and functioning. I just felt slightly put off by the fairly dense style of the book at times: lots of topic-specific vocabulary, lots of treaties and details you can easily lose track of... That is certainly partly due to my own ignorance, but I wish it had been more of an easy read with perhaps less information but more simplicity and clarity.
The book is written from a pro-EU perspective but this bias is clearly stated at the beginning of the book and therefore not disturbing.
One interesting aspect of the book is that it reminds us of the fact that Britain has always been reluctant to be part of the EU and shows that Brexit has been long in the making.
The book is written from a pro-EU perspective but this bias is clearly stated at the beginning of the book and therefore not disturbing.
One interesting aspect of the book is that it reminds us of the fact that Britain has always been reluctant to be part of the EU and shows that Brexit has been long in the making.
September 20, 2023
Review: 2* Repetitive. Takes Ages To Get to the Point. Found better explanations for Organisations & Treaties online. Photos & graphs were good.
1. What is the EU for? page1
- Began in the wake of the WW2 with the creation of the European Coal & Steel Community
A Durable Peace
- Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, 9 May 1950, "any war between France and Germany," would become, "not merely unthinkable but materially impossible."
Founder States: France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxemburg & the Netherlands
UK was never defeated or occupied by another European nation (in recent history) hence was satisfied with the US & NATO for defence. Thus UK politicians had a utilitarian approach to the EU, despite the EU following UK priorities such as market liberalisation & NATO-led security.
Economic Strength & Prosperity
- French insisted on surrounding the common market with a common external tariff, which allowed the ECC to negotiate in level terms with the US
- In 1946, Churchill proposed a United States of Europe led by France & Germany but did not feel the UK should be a member (due to the empire & special relationship with the US).
Theories & Explanations
Arguments between Realists, neo-realists versus Neo-functionalists & Federalists
2. How the EU was made page 9
"Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity."
- France sought to Common Agricultural Policy to counterbalance German industrial advantage, demonstrating the interests at play which created the policies within the EU
- Enthusiastic federalists Jean Monnet & Jacques Delors
The 1950s: the Founding Treaties
Jean Monnet was responsible for drafting the Schuman declaration, chairing the negotiations for the ECSC Treaty & First President of it's High Authority & shaping the democratic institutions within the Community.
- The European Defence Community shelved in 1954 due to French opposition.
- Treaties of Rome 1958 were the building blocks, including European Coal and Steel Community 1952, Single European Act 1987, Maastricht Treaty 1993, Amsterdam Treaty 1999, Nice Treaty 2002, Lisbon Treaty 2009
- EU now operates on the basis of the TEU & the TFEU (the Lisbon Treaty producing simplification of the Maastricht Treaty).
The 1960s: de Gaulle against the federalists
June 1958 de Gaulle became the French President
-not a keen federalist but keen to use the EEC as a means to advance French power & leadership.
-In 1963, he vetoed the expansion of the EEC to include the UK, Denmark, Ireland & Norway due to Britain's defence of it's agriculture & commonwealth.
- 1965, a further political crisis occurred due to the arrangements over CAP, which resulted in the Luxembourg compromise. No decision could be taken until a unanimously accepted agreement was reached, if a member felt that their interests were at stake.
- By 1980s, majority voting began to lead the way over a single veto.
Widening & some deepening: Britain, Denmark & Ireland Join
- de Gaulle's resigned in 1969 and the new President Georges Pompidou, consented to Britain, Denmark, Norway & Ireland to join on condition that CAP financing would be agreed as well as elements of 'deepening' such as monetary union & coordination of foreign policy.
- Britain, Denmark & Ireland joined the EEC in Jan 1973 while Norway rejected accession in a referendum in 1975.
Single market, Draft Treaty on the European Union, & the Southern Enlargement
- European Parliament had prepared a political project: a Draft Treaty on the European Union, inspired by Altiero Spinelli.
- European Council decided to convene an Intergovernmental Conference on treaty amendment, overriding British, Danish & Greek opposition with it's first ever use of a majority vote. The outcome was the 1992 Single European Act
- EEC was enlarged to include Greece 1982, Portugal & Spain 1986, which were previously governed by authoritarian regimes.
- Spinelli died a few weeks after the Single European Act assuming it was a failure but it actually relaunched the Community towards the Treaty of Rome.
Maastricht & Amsterdam Treaties & Enlargement from 12 to 15
French President Jacques Delores pushed for a single currency, but faced difficulty from Thatcher (an anti-federalist) and Germany. In 1989, in order to secure East Germany's unification, Helmut Kohl agreed to Delor's single currency project (France was an occupying power in Germany and could have vetoed unification).
- Resulted in the Maastricht Treaty which led to the Euro & European Central Bank.
- Austria, Finland & Sweden acceded in 1995
Enlargement to 28, Constitutional & Lisbon
- 2004 Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia & Slovenia together with Cyprus and Malta joined.
- 2007 Bulgaria & Romania joined.
- 2005 Turkey's candidature was recognised
Between 1993 and 2009, the EU legally comprised 3 pillars. This structure was introduced with the Treaty of Maastricht on 1 Nov 1993, and abandoned on 1 Dec 2009 upon entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, when the EU obtained a consolidated legal personality.
The European Communities pillar handled economic, social and environmental policies. It comprised the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community (until its expiry in 2002), and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).
Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) pillar took care of foreign policy and military matters.
Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters (PJCCM) brought together co-operation in the fight against crime. This pillar was originally named Justice and Home Affairs (JHA)
3. How the EU is governed page 34
- chart according to the BBC, different to the book.
The European Council and the Council of Ministers
- Consists of one government minister from every member state, who have the authority to commit their governments to the actions
- Part of the law making process
- The President of the Council is currently Charles Michel, former Prime Minister of Belgium. Different to Ursula von der Leyen who is President of the European Commission.
- Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) has replaced unanimity.
The European Parliament
- European Commission is accountable to the European Parliament, which is "directly" elected by EU citizens via proportional representation. Parliament has the right to approve or not the Commission's implementation of the budget.
- Shares powers equally with the Council of Ministers.
The European Commission
- Commission helps to shape the EU's overall strategy, proposes new EU laws and policies, monitors their implementation and manages the EU budget
- right to legislative initiatives
- executes EU policies
The Court of Justice
- Ensures EU law is interpreted and applied the same in every EU country
- Politically has created the new climate that prevents war between member states
- one judge from each member state
- 1979 "Cassis de Dijon" case laid a cornerstone of the single market programme, with the principle of "mutual recognition" and standards for safety of products, which radically reduced the need for detailed regulation at the EU level.
4. Single market, single currency page 56
Purpose was peace but also economic prosperity highlighted by the United States, which doesn't have tariffs between it's states. As the European Union developed, the EECs original project expanded from a custom union to a single market to a single currency.
The Single Market
ECC's custom union, abolishing tariff and quota barriers to their mutual trade and creating a common external tariff.
Customs Union & Competition Policy
Obstacles from subsidies to unfair competition rules were applied
Programme to Complete the Single Market by 1992
Jacques Delors and Lord Cockfield worked together to create the single market, which was one of the EU's greatest success.
The Single Currency
Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) established in 1979 required central banks to intervene in the currency markets to keep fluctuations within their mutual currencies within narrow bands and by the 1980s it was stable. The UK entered late and dropped out after Black Wednesday in Sept 1992.
- France pushed the single currency as condition for German reunification, which despite Germany's hesitation worked better for them as an exporting country.
The Aim of Economic & Monetary Union
- European Central Bank, resulting from The Maastricht Treaty was established to be completely independent, the ECB along with the central banks of the member states are together called the European System of Central Banks (ESCB).
Single-currency was named "euro" per Germany's preference rather than "ecu" (per France).
- Only states which had achieved monetary stability could join the single currency. 5 "Convergence criteria" must be established: (i) the inflation rate; (ii) ratios of government deficit (cannot exceed 3%), (iii) long-term interest rates; and (iv) membership of the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM), (v) public debt to GDP limited to 60% (unless sufficiently diminishing).
- New member states legally obliged to introduce the euro as soon as possible
A Currency in Crisis
- a single currency without a single economic governance structure was a noticeable problem after the 2007 (financial deregulation) crisis and later sovereign-debt crisis.
- eurozone members created the May 2010 European Financial Stability Facility which provides bailouts e.g. Greece, which require member states to implement reforms such a reduction of state owned enterprises & deregulation of working practices.
- Treaty on Stability, Coordination & Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union was created and lies outside the EU's legal framework and the European Stability Mechanism.
5. Agriculture, regions, budgets: conflicts over who gets what page 69
Agriculture
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), pushed by the French supported farmers and national food security by allowing subsidies, which came from the EU budget that in 1985, the UK under Thatcher fought for a rebate to pay less.
Stages of Reform
The cost of the CAP is a heavy burden for the EU particularly due to enlargement of the EU, WTO negotiations and environmental concerns, hence reform is slow but happening.
Cohesion & Structural Funds
- Initially was starting as the "Social Fund" which was Italy's request at the Treaty of Rome, because it was the weakest economically among the Founding Member states.
- Then once the UK joined (which was the weakest member state at that point), Ted Heath pushed for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the purpose being to reduce disparities between the levels of development of European regions and to improve living standards in the least-favoured regions.
Enlargement & Structural Funds
When Spain, Portugal and Greece joined their average incomes were below other member states, save Ireland, and these 4 states demanded more money from the Structural Funds.
The Budget
The cost of running the EU institutions costs less than 6% of the EU budget. Agriculture & Cohesion costs 40%.
'Own Resources'
EU revenues from taxes is a legal requirement, which prevents member states holding the EU to ransom unlike the United Nations.
Net Contributions
6. Social policy, environmental policy page 83
Social Policy
The Single European Act extended the scope for social policies in countries e.g. equal pay for women (France) but also pushed EU to a more Anglo-Saxon/ American approach to liberal markets and deregulation/flexible labour market.
Environmental Policy
The Single European Act ensured a common environmental policy so that pollution is pushed from one state to another but control it at it's source e.g. the Emission Trading Scheme 2005, which allocates carbon rights (those that pollute less can sell their rights to those who pollute more)
7. 'An area of freedom, security and justice page 89
1958 Rome Treaty included "People" as well as goods. Freedom of movement, which developed to Schengen. Moving within EU states without a passport.
Maastricht's Third Pillar
Cross-border crime resulted in the Corporation in Justice and Home Affaires and suggestions of a policing body called Europol.
Amsterdam's Project
The Amsterdam Treaty affirmed the intention to create an area of security, freedom and justice, which was part of the pillars (the pillars were later replaced by the Lisbon Treaty).
What's in the Name
Freedom of Movement within Schengen is an almost complete reality.
8. A great civilian power... and more - or less? page 96
EU's intention was to create everlasting peace between France, Germany and other member states. And now the EU has also a Common Foreign & Security Policy and talk of an EU army.
External Economic Relations
EU trades more internally and can challenge the hegemony of the dollar as eurozone doesn't require a reserve ($) currency.
Foreign Policy
Corporation in Foreign Policy was introduced in 1970 called the European Political Cooperation.
Security
The illegal War in Iraq divided certain EU member states versus US, UK & Poland.
9. The EU and the rest of Europe page 109
EU's expansion is testimony to it's success. Membership is open to any European country respects "the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law."
Enlargement to Almost All of Western Europe
Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein & Norway are not members of the EU but are part of EEA
Enlargement to the East
The success of adding so many countries from the East is remarkable.
South Eastern Europe
Slow stabilisation of the Balkans, only Croatia has received full membership so far with candidate status for the remaining countries.
Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States
The EU isn't keen on Russia joining but allowed it's neighbours to.
Turkey
They're Muslim & not white European enough. No chance.
10. The EU in the world page 121
The EC as a Great Trading Power
US and EU economic interests have diverged.
The EU, it's Neighbourhood, & the Developing World
France wanted preferential treatment for it's former colonies.
11. Much accomplished... but what next page 138
Brexit, Eurosceptics, populist govts means that the EU's path in the future is uncertain.
1. What is the EU for? page1
- Began in the wake of the WW2 with the creation of the European Coal & Steel Community
A Durable Peace
- Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, 9 May 1950, "any war between France and Germany," would become, "not merely unthinkable but materially impossible."
Founder States: France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxemburg & the Netherlands
UK was never defeated or occupied by another European nation (in recent history) hence was satisfied with the US & NATO for defence. Thus UK politicians had a utilitarian approach to the EU, despite the EU following UK priorities such as market liberalisation & NATO-led security.
Economic Strength & Prosperity
- French insisted on surrounding the common market with a common external tariff, which allowed the ECC to negotiate in level terms with the US
- In 1946, Churchill proposed a United States of Europe led by France & Germany but did not feel the UK should be a member (due to the empire & special relationship with the US).
Theories & Explanations
Arguments between Realists, neo-realists versus Neo-functionalists & Federalists
2. How the EU was made page 9
"Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity."
- France sought to Common Agricultural Policy to counterbalance German industrial advantage, demonstrating the interests at play which created the policies within the EU
- Enthusiastic federalists Jean Monnet & Jacques Delors
The 1950s: the Founding Treaties
Jean Monnet was responsible for drafting the Schuman declaration, chairing the negotiations for the ECSC Treaty & First President of it's High Authority & shaping the democratic institutions within the Community.
- The European Defence Community shelved in 1954 due to French opposition.
- Treaties of Rome 1958 were the building blocks, including European Coal and Steel Community 1952, Single European Act 1987, Maastricht Treaty 1993, Amsterdam Treaty 1999, Nice Treaty 2002, Lisbon Treaty 2009
- EU now operates on the basis of the TEU & the TFEU (the Lisbon Treaty producing simplification of the Maastricht Treaty).
The 1960s: de Gaulle against the federalists
June 1958 de Gaulle became the French President
-not a keen federalist but keen to use the EEC as a means to advance French power & leadership.
-In 1963, he vetoed the expansion of the EEC to include the UK, Denmark, Ireland & Norway due to Britain's defence of it's agriculture & commonwealth.
- 1965, a further political crisis occurred due to the arrangements over CAP, which resulted in the Luxembourg compromise. No decision could be taken until a unanimously accepted agreement was reached, if a member felt that their interests were at stake.
- By 1980s, majority voting began to lead the way over a single veto.
Widening & some deepening: Britain, Denmark & Ireland Join
- de Gaulle's resigned in 1969 and the new President Georges Pompidou, consented to Britain, Denmark, Norway & Ireland to join on condition that CAP financing would be agreed as well as elements of 'deepening' such as monetary union & coordination of foreign policy.
- Britain, Denmark & Ireland joined the EEC in Jan 1973 while Norway rejected accession in a referendum in 1975.
Single market, Draft Treaty on the European Union, & the Southern Enlargement
- European Parliament had prepared a political project: a Draft Treaty on the European Union, inspired by Altiero Spinelli.
- European Council decided to convene an Intergovernmental Conference on treaty amendment, overriding British, Danish & Greek opposition with it's first ever use of a majority vote. The outcome was the 1992 Single European Act
- EEC was enlarged to include Greece 1982, Portugal & Spain 1986, which were previously governed by authoritarian regimes.
- Spinelli died a few weeks after the Single European Act assuming it was a failure but it actually relaunched the Community towards the Treaty of Rome.
Maastricht & Amsterdam Treaties & Enlargement from 12 to 15
French President Jacques Delores pushed for a single currency, but faced difficulty from Thatcher (an anti-federalist) and Germany. In 1989, in order to secure East Germany's unification, Helmut Kohl agreed to Delor's single currency project (France was an occupying power in Germany and could have vetoed unification).
- Resulted in the Maastricht Treaty which led to the Euro & European Central Bank.
- Austria, Finland & Sweden acceded in 1995
Enlargement to 28, Constitutional & Lisbon
- 2004 Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia & Slovenia together with Cyprus and Malta joined.
- 2007 Bulgaria & Romania joined.
- 2005 Turkey's candidature was recognised
Between 1993 and 2009, the EU legally comprised 3 pillars. This structure was introduced with the Treaty of Maastricht on 1 Nov 1993, and abandoned on 1 Dec 2009 upon entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, when the EU obtained a consolidated legal personality.
The European Communities pillar handled economic, social and environmental policies. It comprised the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community (until its expiry in 2002), and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).
Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) pillar took care of foreign policy and military matters.
Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters (PJCCM) brought together co-operation in the fight against crime. This pillar was originally named Justice and Home Affairs (JHA)
3. How the EU is governed page 34
- chart according to the BBC, different to the book.
The European Council and the Council of Ministers
- Consists of one government minister from every member state, who have the authority to commit their governments to the actions
- Part of the law making process
- The President of the Council is currently Charles Michel, former Prime Minister of Belgium. Different to Ursula von der Leyen who is President of the European Commission.
- Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) has replaced unanimity.
The European Parliament
- European Commission is accountable to the European Parliament, which is "directly" elected by EU citizens via proportional representation. Parliament has the right to approve or not the Commission's implementation of the budget.
- Shares powers equally with the Council of Ministers.
The European Commission
- Commission helps to shape the EU's overall strategy, proposes new EU laws and policies, monitors their implementation and manages the EU budget
- right to legislative initiatives
- executes EU policies
The Court of Justice
- Ensures EU law is interpreted and applied the same in every EU country
- Politically has created the new climate that prevents war between member states
- one judge from each member state
- 1979 "Cassis de Dijon" case laid a cornerstone of the single market programme, with the principle of "mutual recognition" and standards for safety of products, which radically reduced the need for detailed regulation at the EU level.
4. Single market, single currency page 56
Purpose was peace but also economic prosperity highlighted by the United States, which doesn't have tariffs between it's states. As the European Union developed, the EECs original project expanded from a custom union to a single market to a single currency.
The Single Market
ECC's custom union, abolishing tariff and quota barriers to their mutual trade and creating a common external tariff.
Customs Union & Competition Policy
Obstacles from subsidies to unfair competition rules were applied
Programme to Complete the Single Market by 1992
Jacques Delors and Lord Cockfield worked together to create the single market, which was one of the EU's greatest success.
The Single Currency
Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) established in 1979 required central banks to intervene in the currency markets to keep fluctuations within their mutual currencies within narrow bands and by the 1980s it was stable. The UK entered late and dropped out after Black Wednesday in Sept 1992.
- France pushed the single currency as condition for German reunification, which despite Germany's hesitation worked better for them as an exporting country.
The Aim of Economic & Monetary Union
- European Central Bank, resulting from The Maastricht Treaty was established to be completely independent, the ECB along with the central banks of the member states are together called the European System of Central Banks (ESCB).
Single-currency was named "euro" per Germany's preference rather than "ecu" (per France).
- Only states which had achieved monetary stability could join the single currency. 5 "Convergence criteria" must be established: (i) the inflation rate; (ii) ratios of government deficit (cannot exceed 3%), (iii) long-term interest rates; and (iv) membership of the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM), (v) public debt to GDP limited to 60% (unless sufficiently diminishing).
- New member states legally obliged to introduce the euro as soon as possible
A Currency in Crisis
- a single currency without a single economic governance structure was a noticeable problem after the 2007 (financial deregulation) crisis and later sovereign-debt crisis.
- eurozone members created the May 2010 European Financial Stability Facility which provides bailouts e.g. Greece, which require member states to implement reforms such a reduction of state owned enterprises & deregulation of working practices.
- Treaty on Stability, Coordination & Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union was created and lies outside the EU's legal framework and the European Stability Mechanism.
5. Agriculture, regions, budgets: conflicts over who gets what page 69
Agriculture
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), pushed by the French supported farmers and national food security by allowing subsidies, which came from the EU budget that in 1985, the UK under Thatcher fought for a rebate to pay less.
Stages of Reform
The cost of the CAP is a heavy burden for the EU particularly due to enlargement of the EU, WTO negotiations and environmental concerns, hence reform is slow but happening.
Cohesion & Structural Funds
- Initially was starting as the "Social Fund" which was Italy's request at the Treaty of Rome, because it was the weakest economically among the Founding Member states.
- Then once the UK joined (which was the weakest member state at that point), Ted Heath pushed for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the purpose being to reduce disparities between the levels of development of European regions and to improve living standards in the least-favoured regions.
Enlargement & Structural Funds
When Spain, Portugal and Greece joined their average incomes were below other member states, save Ireland, and these 4 states demanded more money from the Structural Funds.
The Budget
The cost of running the EU institutions costs less than 6% of the EU budget. Agriculture & Cohesion costs 40%.
'Own Resources'
EU revenues from taxes is a legal requirement, which prevents member states holding the EU to ransom unlike the United Nations.
Net Contributions
6. Social policy, environmental policy page 83
Social Policy
The Single European Act extended the scope for social policies in countries e.g. equal pay for women (France) but also pushed EU to a more Anglo-Saxon/ American approach to liberal markets and deregulation/flexible labour market.
Environmental Policy
The Single European Act ensured a common environmental policy so that pollution is pushed from one state to another but control it at it's source e.g. the Emission Trading Scheme 2005, which allocates carbon rights (those that pollute less can sell their rights to those who pollute more)
7. 'An area of freedom, security and justice page 89
1958 Rome Treaty included "People" as well as goods. Freedom of movement, which developed to Schengen. Moving within EU states without a passport.
Maastricht's Third Pillar
Cross-border crime resulted in the Corporation in Justice and Home Affaires and suggestions of a policing body called Europol.
Amsterdam's Project
The Amsterdam Treaty affirmed the intention to create an area of security, freedom and justice, which was part of the pillars (the pillars were later replaced by the Lisbon Treaty).
What's in the Name
Freedom of Movement within Schengen is an almost complete reality.
8. A great civilian power... and more - or less? page 96
EU's intention was to create everlasting peace between France, Germany and other member states. And now the EU has also a Common Foreign & Security Policy and talk of an EU army.
External Economic Relations
EU trades more internally and can challenge the hegemony of the dollar as eurozone doesn't require a reserve ($) currency.
Foreign Policy
Corporation in Foreign Policy was introduced in 1970 called the European Political Cooperation.
Security
The illegal War in Iraq divided certain EU member states versus US, UK & Poland.
9. The EU and the rest of Europe page 109
EU's expansion is testimony to it's success. Membership is open to any European country respects "the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law."
Enlargement to Almost All of Western Europe
Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein & Norway are not members of the EU but are part of EEA
Enlargement to the East
The success of adding so many countries from the East is remarkable.
South Eastern Europe
Slow stabilisation of the Balkans, only Croatia has received full membership so far with candidate status for the remaining countries.
Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States
The EU isn't keen on Russia joining but allowed it's neighbours to.
Turkey
They're Muslim & not white European enough. No chance.
10. The EU in the world page 121
The EC as a Great Trading Power
US and EU economic interests have diverged.
The EU, it's Neighbourhood, & the Developing World
France wanted preferential treatment for it's former colonies.
11. Much accomplished... but what next page 138
Brexit, Eurosceptics, populist govts means that the EU's path in the future is uncertain.
April 10, 2025
I'm reviewing the 4th edition (2018). I'm glad I picked this up from a free little library and didn't pay for it. It was useful insofar as I better understand the EU's history, governing structure, goals, and strategy. But, man, this was a snoozer! This is easily the most boring VSI volume I have read to date. It's also aging quickly compared to other volumes, as one can see by the 4th edition already being behind as far as how Brexit actually turned out.
The worst sin of this book is that it is presumptuous, while feigning neutrality, and posing multiple thought-ending summaries of complex problems. As an American, I was ignorant of how much of the EU's mission is expanding the sphere of neoliberal economics: free movement of capital, exploitation of cheap labor, structural readjustment of applicant and straying member states, etc. The authors take as a given that these are good things, and provide very little evidence to support their thesis, aside from the fact that Europe has generally been more at peace with itself since WWII. There are gestures to concerns of member states, which the authors paternalistically handwave away as a general strategy.
The two introductory chapters are essential, while the remaining ones are fairly obvious, tedious, or repetitious; and sometimes it managed to be all three at once. Any volume that requires three pages of acronyms as an index in the frontmatter is not well-suited to be A Very Short Introduction. The abuse of acronyms was hardly necessary in every instance (an abbreviation may only appear three times in the whole text), nor was the stylistic usage consistent (why is NATO rendered as "Nato" when all the other acronyms are all caps?).
The worst sin of this book is that it is presumptuous, while feigning neutrality, and posing multiple thought-ending summaries of complex problems. As an American, I was ignorant of how much of the EU's mission is expanding the sphere of neoliberal economics: free movement of capital, exploitation of cheap labor, structural readjustment of applicant and straying member states, etc. The authors take as a given that these are good things, and provide very little evidence to support their thesis, aside from the fact that Europe has generally been more at peace with itself since WWII. There are gestures to concerns of member states, which the authors paternalistically handwave away as a general strategy.
The two introductory chapters are essential, while the remaining ones are fairly obvious, tedious, or repetitious; and sometimes it managed to be all three at once. Any volume that requires three pages of acronyms as an index in the frontmatter is not well-suited to be A Very Short Introduction. The abuse of acronyms was hardly necessary in every instance (an abbreviation may only appear three times in the whole text), nor was the stylistic usage consistent (why is NATO rendered as "Nato" when all the other acronyms are all caps?).
January 18, 2020
يتحدث الكتاب عن كل جوانب الاتحاد الأوروبي: أسباب تأسيسه ومراحل تأسسيه وشرح آليات عمله وسياساته الخارجية والداخلية والاقتصادية.
لم يتكون الاتحاد الأوربي دفعة واحدة، بل في بادئ الأمر بتأسيس الجماعة الأوروبية للفحم والصلب عام 1952 التي ضمت ست دول فقط لا غير، المملكة المتحدة لم تكن بينها، وباعتبار الفحم والصلب أساس الصناعة العسكرية فهكذا تضمن الدول الست السلام فيما بينها وهذا هو الغرض الأساسي من الاتحاد، ثم تطور الاتحاد تدريجياً مروراً بمراحل طويلة من المفاوضات المضنية والاتفاقيات المهمة في كل المجالات حتى يحدد شكل الاتحاد من جهة وحتى يساهم بشكل إيجابي بحياة الدول المنضمة للاتحاد من جهة أخرى هذه الدول التي أخذت بالتزايد حتى وصلت إلى 24 دولة فيما بعد.
يناقش الكتاب العثرات والصعاب التي واجهت دول الاتحاد وتجارب الاتحاد الجيدة والسيئة، فنرى المملكة المتحدة التي لا ترى في الاتحاد إلا وسيلة اقتصادية بينما فرنسا تراه وسلية لدمج ألمانيا المنهزمة بالحرب العالميةالثانية بتحالف معها وهكذا تقضي على أي خطر مستقبلي بعودة الحرب، كما رغبت فرنسا مراراً وتكراراً بالخروج بالاتحاد الأوروبي من تحت العباءة الأمريكية سواءاً بالاقتصاد أو بالدفاع وهذا ما كانت تعارضه المملكة المتحدة دائماً. إلا ان فرنسا نفسها لعبت دور بتهميش الجماعة الأوروبية للطاقة الذرية لان الرئيس الفرنسي الجديد -وقتها- ديجول كان متعصب للقومية ولم ترق له فكرة الفيدرالية فحاول الحفاظ على الطاقة الذرية بيد فرنسا، وغيرها كثير من المشاكل والتناقضات التي تنبع من اختلاف أهداف دول الاتحاد.
هذه الجزئيات تعيد لأذهاننا طفولية الفكرة التي تطالب الدول العربية بالاتحاد التام الذي يصل لمرحلة الصهر للخروج بدولة واحدة تلغي كل الدول الأخرى تحت مسمى الوحدة، برأيي على الأمة أن تفكر بأشكال أخرى من الاتحاد وتضع باعتبارها الاتحاد الأوروبي مثال يحتذى به.
ترجمة الكتاب ليست جيدة مما ساهم في تعقيد الشرح للقارئ، لذلك لا أنصح المبتدئين به أبداً. اعتقد أن الكتاب يجب تبسيطه أكثر من هذا فهو معقد في كثير من أجزاءه.
لم يتكون الاتحاد الأوربي دفعة واحدة، بل في بادئ الأمر بتأسيس الجماعة الأوروبية للفحم والصلب عام 1952 التي ضمت ست دول فقط لا غير، المملكة المتحدة لم تكن بينها، وباعتبار الفحم والصلب أساس الصناعة العسكرية فهكذا تضمن الدول الست السلام فيما بينها وهذا هو الغرض الأساسي من الاتحاد، ثم تطور الاتحاد تدريجياً مروراً بمراحل طويلة من المفاوضات المضنية والاتفاقيات المهمة في كل المجالات حتى يحدد شكل الاتحاد من جهة وحتى يساهم بشكل إيجابي بحياة الدول المنضمة للاتحاد من جهة أخرى هذه الدول التي أخذت بالتزايد حتى وصلت إلى 24 دولة فيما بعد.
يناقش الكتاب العثرات والصعاب التي واجهت دول الاتحاد وتجارب الاتحاد الجيدة والسيئة، فنرى المملكة المتحدة التي لا ترى في الاتحاد إلا وسيلة اقتصادية بينما فرنسا تراه وسلية لدمج ألمانيا المنهزمة بالحرب العالميةالثانية بتحالف معها وهكذا تقضي على أي خطر مستقبلي بعودة الحرب، كما رغبت فرنسا مراراً وتكراراً بالخروج بالاتحاد الأوروبي من تحت العباءة الأمريكية سواءاً بالاقتصاد أو بالدفاع وهذا ما كانت تعارضه المملكة المتحدة دائماً. إلا ان فرنسا نفسها لعبت دور بتهميش الجماعة الأوروبية للطاقة الذرية لان الرئيس الفرنسي الجديد -وقتها- ديجول كان متعصب للقومية ولم ترق له فكرة الفيدرالية فحاول الحفاظ على الطاقة الذرية بيد فرنسا، وغيرها كثير من المشاكل والتناقضات التي تنبع من اختلاف أهداف دول الاتحاد.
هذه الجزئيات تعيد لأذهاننا طفولية الفكرة التي تطالب الدول العربية بالاتحاد التام الذي يصل لمرحلة الصهر للخروج بدولة واحدة تلغي كل الدول الأخرى تحت مسمى الوحدة، برأيي على الأمة أن تفكر بأشكال أخرى من الاتحاد وتضع باعتبارها الاتحاد الأوروبي مثال يحتذى به.
ترجمة الكتاب ليست جيدة مما ساهم في تعقيد الشرح للقارئ، لذلك لا أنصح المبتدئين به أبداً. اعتقد أن الكتاب يجب تبسيطه أكثر من هذا فهو معقد في كثير من أجزاءه.
July 24, 2023
‘bOth INteRnAllY aNd In ThE WidER wOrLd!!’
A good overview of all the EC’s and EEC’s besides the MCNUU, EU, ECB, CAAP, FGUI, MNG, and FU. The general idea is: Europe strives for liberal values but capitalism gets in the way again.
A good overview of all the EC’s and EEC’s besides the MCNUU, EU, ECB, CAAP, FGUI, MNG, and FU. The general idea is: Europe strives for liberal values but capitalism gets in the way again.
March 28, 2024
dull but (necessary) I guess
March 3, 2018
Chapter 1: What the EU is for
Chapter 2: How the EU was made
Chapter 3: How the EU is governed
Chapter 4: Single market, single currency
Chapter 5: Agriculture, regions, budget: conflicts over who gets what
Chapter 6: Social policy, environmental policy
Chapter 7: 'An area of freedom, security and justice'
Chapter 8: A great civilian power... and more - or less?
Chapter 9: The EU and the rest of Europe
Chapter 10: The EU in the world
Chapter 11: Much accomplished... but what next?
Chapter 2: How the EU was made
Chapter 3: How the EU is governed
Chapter 4: Single market, single currency
Chapter 5: Agriculture, regions, budget: conflicts over who gets what
Chapter 6: Social policy, environmental policy
Chapter 7: 'An area of freedom, security and justice'
Chapter 8: A great civilian power... and more - or less?
Chapter 9: The EU and the rest of Europe
Chapter 10: The EU in the world
Chapter 11: Much accomplished... but what next?
September 22, 2017
This was a very good VSI. the history of the European Union the different treaties and institutions that form the Union. I liked the parts about the common currency and the sort of prediction about the Brexit :) It is interesting to see what will happen in the next couple of years to the Union, the book keeps an optimistic view but it is an unpredictable world right now :)
The passage on Turkey was interesting too.
The part on a potential Brexit:
The passage on Turkey was interesting too.
Union politicians have voiced a number of reasons for doubting whether Turkey should become a member. First, there has been reference to the Copenhagen criteria and the country unsuitability on the ground of the human rights abuses, the role of the military in politics, weakness in the economy and the extent which reforms can meaningfully be made. Second, there is the concern regarding the size of Turkey (it would before long be the EU's largest member state, owning to its high birth rate) and the resultant potential for a large scale migration to the other member states and for the voting weight in the Council. Third, there has been much talk of enlargement fatigue and the need for more substantial pause before such a major expansion. Fourth, and perhaps underlining all of these other dimensions, is the notion of Turkey's otherness. As a majority Muslim population, as a state with a tenuous claim to be geographically European and as state of a different historical path from the current member. it challenges many conceptional of what the EU is and should be.
The part on a potential Brexit:
Even if the UK did leave, it would still find itself neighboring a Union that bought British goods and services, but in which the British government no longer had an institutional voice and vote. Moreover, the UK current position as a desirable entry point to the EU for the third countries' business would also be undermined. Seen as such a constructive engagement would offer much more likelihood of an acceptable policy mix than would a metaphorical throwing up of the hands.
August 22, 2019
A very important book for the citizens of the EU to read, especially for high-school students i.e. first time voters. My only problem with the book was that it contained way too much data to process for an introductory read. But, the glossary at the end was a great help when reading about the many EU organizations and treaties.
March 6, 2022
Un manual extrem de folositor și succint pentru înțelegerea istoriei Uniunii Europene (de la instituția precursoare a acesteia, mai precis "Comunitatea Cărbunelui și Oțelului" înființată în anul 1951) până la toate mecanismele instituționale constitutive ale Parlametului European cu sediul la Bruxelles sau Strasburg. O lectură rapidă, documentată puternic (cu grafice relevante) și relativ ușor de priceput pentru orice categorie de cititori. Practic, un manual al Uniunii Europene pe înțelesul oricui.
September 24, 2019
Didn't enjoy this book at all. I thought it would be a simplified explanation of how the EU works. However in my opinion it's complicated the information it's trying to get across by blinding the reader with an incredible amount of jargon and specialised words which make it difficult to read. Will be trying other titles in this series as I am hoping that this is a case of me not jelling with a particular book.
January 12, 2016
الاتحاد الأوروبى بكلمات بسيطة ، و لكنها تحتاج الى الكثير من التركيز و التركيز يفتح معك الكثير من الافاق ، و المقارنات
و ما يميزه هو وجود خطوط للمعرفة و تليها رغبة فى التبحر فى هذه التجربة
و ما يميزه هو وجود خطوط للمعرفة و تليها رغبة فى التبحر فى هذه التجربة
April 16, 2020
An excellent overview of a very complex and currently relevant topic.
The new edition considerably updates the previous text. Well worth getting the revised version.
The new edition considerably updates the previous text. Well worth getting the revised version.
October 15, 2023
I didn’t get a lot out of this book. It’s very theoretical and focused on the formal structures of the EU and doesn’t get much into how the structures play out when addressing specific legal issues or conflicts between states, etc. I realize it is a Very Short Introduction but I do feel like there could be a very short version of this book that has a little more of an on-the-ground view. The authors are very doctrinaire pro-liberalization globalizers--which is fine! That’s a perfectly defensible position even if it’s not mine! But they don’t really make a case for it and when describing the trade situation they use words like “improving” completely interchangeably with “liberalizing,” which is annoying. The authors are also notably unwilling to spend more than a sentence on the downsides of the EU. E.g., in a section describing the EU’s pursuit of free trade deals with African nations, they write: “almost all of Africa remained in bad shape, owing at least partly to poor governance and unstable relations with former colonial powers in the EU.” That last bit seems worth investigating a bit more, no? Along similar lines, here’s one of the only places where the book discusses policy toward migrants:
“As regards security, the fight against cross-border crime remains primarily intergovernmental, albeit with extending influence of the Commission. There has been significant activity addressing trafficking in persons, offences against children, corruption, money-laundering, forging money, and ‘cyber-crime.’ Europol has made a useful contribution, though it could not become fully operational until its convention was fully ratified by all member states in July 1999, over five years after the Maastricht Treaty had provided for it. Likewise, Frontex, established in 2005 to coordinate border guards, now deploys teams to several of the EU’s key frontiers, most notably in the Mediterranean.”
It’s notable, and disturbing, that people crossing borders to escape war and failed states are glossed as an aspect of “cross-border crime.” There’s no mention of the massive human rights crisis that has built up around the EU’s militarized border, no mention of EU member states deploying their coast guards to force migrants to drown in the Mediterranean, no mention of how Frontex has gifted incredibly intrusive surveillance technology to governments with terrible human rights records. This is vapid to the point of complete moral failure.
“As regards security, the fight against cross-border crime remains primarily intergovernmental, albeit with extending influence of the Commission. There has been significant activity addressing trafficking in persons, offences against children, corruption, money-laundering, forging money, and ‘cyber-crime.’ Europol has made a useful contribution, though it could not become fully operational until its convention was fully ratified by all member states in July 1999, over five years after the Maastricht Treaty had provided for it. Likewise, Frontex, established in 2005 to coordinate border guards, now deploys teams to several of the EU’s key frontiers, most notably in the Mediterranean.”
It’s notable, and disturbing, that people crossing borders to escape war and failed states are glossed as an aspect of “cross-border crime.” There’s no mention of the massive human rights crisis that has built up around the EU’s militarized border, no mention of EU member states deploying their coast guards to force migrants to drown in the Mediterranean, no mention of how Frontex has gifted incredibly intrusive surveillance technology to governments with terrible human rights records. This is vapid to the point of complete moral failure.
November 22, 2023
Usherwood's 2018 edition of the European Union paints a precarious, slighty apprehensive tone for the future of the European Union whilst offering the reader warranted justifications to support the 70 year old governing body. He balances analysis of the institution's current climate -- the U.K.'s recent departure, the rise of populist regimes, immigration turmoil, sustained austerity measures -- with an apt explication of the EU's history of treaties and the evolution of its jurisdiction that has resulted in its sustained enlargement since its inception, with many states eager to attain admission.
The chronicling of treatises and the interweb of structures is a difficult feat, and thus leaves the reader a bit perplexed at the ambiguous description of roles assigned to the disparate institutions. The European Council, the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the Court of Justices, and the European Central Bank all carry out vital economic and legal responsibilities, but the distinguished powers could be further clarified. Moreover, the primary accomplishments of the treatises -- the Treaty of Rome, the Maastrict treaty, the Treaty of Lisbon, to name a few -- could be explicitly indicated in the text. The glossary and timeline serve as useful references for the reader, as the profuse use of acronyms may require a refresh of the term's significance.
In sum, this iteration of the "Very Short Introduction" series permits readers to engender a deeper understanding of the European Union's feats, such as an integrated economic system that serves as a model for trade liberalization, as well as progressive environment policies focused on the reduction of carbon emissions for the purposes of global sustainability. Usherwood upholds an encouraged stance on the potential of the EU, yet suggests the governing body invest in galvanizing popular support for its mission, as the staunch contingent of eurosceptics continues to crop up across the continent.
The chronicling of treatises and the interweb of structures is a difficult feat, and thus leaves the reader a bit perplexed at the ambiguous description of roles assigned to the disparate institutions. The European Council, the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the Court of Justices, and the European Central Bank all carry out vital economic and legal responsibilities, but the distinguished powers could be further clarified. Moreover, the primary accomplishments of the treatises -- the Treaty of Rome, the Maastrict treaty, the Treaty of Lisbon, to name a few -- could be explicitly indicated in the text. The glossary and timeline serve as useful references for the reader, as the profuse use of acronyms may require a refresh of the term's significance.
In sum, this iteration of the "Very Short Introduction" series permits readers to engender a deeper understanding of the European Union's feats, such as an integrated economic system that serves as a model for trade liberalization, as well as progressive environment policies focused on the reduction of carbon emissions for the purposes of global sustainability. Usherwood upholds an encouraged stance on the potential of the EU, yet suggests the governing body invest in galvanizing popular support for its mission, as the staunch contingent of eurosceptics continues to crop up across the continent.
October 1, 2021
Was going to start by criticising how outdated it is, but it seems as though Pinder has published a more recent version which includes Brexit(?) and I have read the 2001 publication.
Interesting read; provides a deep understanding of how the EU was formed and how it is led, and it discusses pretty much everything about the EU, including its social and environmental policies, as well as its influence on the world's politics. HOWEVER what I find remarkable how Pinder absolutely neglected discussing Europol (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation), which I think is an absolutely important part of the EU, especially since John Pinder discusses the topics of crime and terrorism in over THREE chapters but only makes one tiny mention of Europol on page 96. Quite disappointing; Europol is an incredible organisation, and I found it quite surprising how such an important organisation was dismissed, and wasn't even defined.
Another issue is how I felt like Pinder had some sort of obsession with complex French terms - he (almost constantly) used quite obscure French terms, expecting the reader to be aware of the definitions.
Regardless though - great read - and Pinder, despite being British, has written this without any bias, or excessive discussion of British politics. You wouldn't be able to tell this was the writing of a Briton.
Side Note: I may be speaking at Europol's FEF 2021 Conference in a few weeks so I may have gone quite overboard with my criticism re Europol, but you get the point...
Interesting read; provides a deep understanding of how the EU was formed and how it is led, and it discusses pretty much everything about the EU, including its social and environmental policies, as well as its influence on the world's politics. HOWEVER what I find remarkable how Pinder absolutely neglected discussing Europol (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation), which I think is an absolutely important part of the EU, especially since John Pinder discusses the topics of crime and terrorism in over THREE chapters but only makes one tiny mention of Europol on page 96. Quite disappointing; Europol is an incredible organisation, and I found it quite surprising how such an important organisation was dismissed, and wasn't even defined.
Another issue is how I felt like Pinder had some sort of obsession with complex French terms - he (almost constantly) used quite obscure French terms, expecting the reader to be aware of the definitions.
Regardless though - great read - and Pinder, despite being British, has written this without any bias, or excessive discussion of British politics. You wouldn't be able to tell this was the writing of a Briton.
Side Note: I may be speaking at Europol's FEF 2021 Conference in a few weeks so I may have gone quite overboard with my criticism re Europol, but you get the point...
August 11, 2022
الكتاب فيه شي جيد وأشياء سيئة اما الشئ الجيد فهو انك ستتعرف علي الاتحاد الأوربي منذ أن أعلن وزير الخارجية الفرنسي شومان عن تأسيس جماعة الصلب والفحم الأوربية بست دول مرورا بمعاهدات ماستريخت ولشبونة ومنازعات المصالح المشتركة بين الاعضاء حيث تحاول كل بلد أن تأخذ اكبر قدر من المكاسب الي قيام الاتحاد الأوربي الحالي ب ٢٨ دولة ... اعجبني جدا حركة التأسيس وكيفية وضع مؤسسات كثيرة منبثقة من الاتحاد لضمان مراقبة التشريع والميزانية وهذا عمل البرلمان الأوربي..أو تولي الجانب التنفيذي وهذا عمل المفوضية الأوربية .. البنك المركزي الأوروبي الذي يتولي السياسة النقدية واليورو.. الصناديق البنيوية التي تتولي سياسة التماسك ورفع مستوى الاقتصاديات الدول الضعيفة ... اشياء كثيرة تراها وتتعملها وانت ترى المسار التاريخي لإنشاء هذا الاتحاد وكم أتمنى أن أرى مثله في عالمنا العربي ولكن هذا تحقق بعد جهود مضنية ومساعي حثيثة لضمان السلام خاصة بعد الحرب العالمية الثانية ومحاولة الوصول لقوة اقتصادية تكون علي قدم المساواة مع أمريكا مما اضطر كينيدي الي خفض التعريفة الجمركية الي الثلث .. كل شيء يدرس ويرتب ويصوت عليه .. أما الاشياء السيئة في الكتاب والتي استحق عليها نجمتين هو هذه التراكيب الغامضة جدا والجمل الاعتراضية الكثيرة والأسلوب الملتوي في طرح الأفكار .. حقيقي اسلوب الكاتب ممل وصعب جدا وكان الله في عون المترجم ولا ادري أزاد المترجم هذه الصعوبة ام حاول التيسير فلم يفلح .
July 25, 2023
The book provides a clear and concise introduction to one of the most important and complex political entities in the world.
The author begins by tracing the origins of the EU from the aftermath of World War II to the present day. He explains how the EU was created as a way of promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Europe, and how it has evolved into a complex political and economic entity.
The book then explores the key institutions of the EU, including the European Commission, European Council, European Parliament, and the Court of Justice. The author explains how these institutions work together to make decisions and implement policies, and how they are held accountable to the citizens of the EU. They explain how the EU's policies are developed and implemented, and how they have impacted the lives of EU citizens.
It’s a good a book for anyone seeking to understand the EU.
The author begins by tracing the origins of the EU from the aftermath of World War II to the present day. He explains how the EU was created as a way of promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Europe, and how it has evolved into a complex political and economic entity.
The book then explores the key institutions of the EU, including the European Commission, European Council, European Parliament, and the Court of Justice. The author explains how these institutions work together to make decisions and implement policies, and how they are held accountable to the citizens of the EU. They explain how the EU's policies are developed and implemented, and how they have impacted the lives of EU citizens.
It’s a good a book for anyone seeking to understand the EU.
November 29, 2023
The European Union : A Very Short Introduction (2007) by John Pinder is a good introduction to the European Union (EU). Pinder was a professor at the College of Europe in London.
The book goes carefully through the history of the EU from the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the founding six members of what would become the EU. The mechanisms of the various bodies and their compositions is also systematically described. The history of expansion also gets a go.
The EU is a great thing, it’s details tend to be intricate and a little Byzantine, perhaps this should be Brusselian. The book somehow conveys the strange, worth but strange tedium of reading details of the EU itself. But no doubt this book is read often by EU citizens on their way to work in Brussels.
The edition of the book I read was written pre-Brexit.
This is a good very short introduction which helps readers gain an understanding of an important institution.
The book goes carefully through the history of the EU from the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the founding six members of what would become the EU. The mechanisms of the various bodies and their compositions is also systematically described. The history of expansion also gets a go.
The EU is a great thing, it’s details tend to be intricate and a little Byzantine, perhaps this should be Brusselian. The book somehow conveys the strange, worth but strange tedium of reading details of the EU itself. But no doubt this book is read often by EU citizens on their way to work in Brussels.
The edition of the book I read was written pre-Brexit.
This is a good very short introduction which helps readers gain an understanding of an important institution.
March 28, 2023
To be quite honest I read this as if a textbook to study for an exam, and found it was decent although not without issues. It was a relatively easy read that had no real issues with flow or writing style, but in some parts I had difficulty following the conversation as I was confused with the chronology of events or what some terms or names meant - I could not understand at times which treaty, which institution was being referred to. Still overall this was a good introduction to the EU, and if taken as that - an introduction - it would allow the reader to grasp the main issues in just 140~ pages, which is a formidable feat.
April 7, 2023
Conținutul e bine ales încât să ofere o imagine de ansamblu asupra acestei organizații cu multe complexități; e structurat cu sens și într-o manieră în care să rămâi cu "povestea" Uniunii Europene (cum s-a format, care au fost influențele, rezultatele etc.), însă aș fi preferat o mai bună adaptare a textului în română. Unele fraze sunt greoaie (pentru o introducere!), caraghioase, când nu sunt de-a dreptul enervante.
January 4, 2020
Obviously outdated by Brexit, the first portion of the book detailing all the treaties is understandably dry, but from the 1970s it gets more interesting mainly because of UK exceptionalism, special treatment and wrangling, all of which provides a long tail for Brexit. So, this ended up being more interesting than I thought it would be.
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