Trend Towards Supranationalism:
Good? Bad? Somewhere in between?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh98D4Kt
MZI
Contemporary World
Pros of Joining the EU
• Free trade and no tariffs
• Common currency
• Free movement (more job
opportunities)
• Access to more resources
• Avoidance of conflict
• Sense of belonging and
unity
• Sustainability
• Avoidance of
compromising national
identity
• Regulations to avoid larger
countries dominating
• Public agencies (subsidies)
Cons of Joining the EU
• No common language
• Extra level of gvt removes
some power and responsibility
from countries
• Some countries see it as a
threat to national identity
• Border of Europe is not
defined i.e. Morocco
• The Commission serves the
EU’s interest, not the country’s
• Less control for member
countries
• Hard to withdraw
• The gvt leader can be
removed if thought necessary
i.e. Greece
• Some wealth has to be shared
between countries
Case Study: Ukraine
• Long been on the
edge of East & West
• Country of 46m might
turn towards the west;
association
agreement with the
EU freer trade
• Putin putting pressure
to join a Eurasian
customs union
Case Study: Ukraine
• Russia is still the biggest
market for Ukrainian
exports
• Ukraine would get
cheaper gas
• Russia would ease their
huge debt
• Russia, unlike the EU
“would not make pesky
demands for human
rights, the rule of law, an
end to corruption and a
proper democracy.”
Case Study: Ukraine
• Ukraine has a lot to gain
moving West
• Trade would be shifting to a
bigger and richer market
• The EU has a “well tried
formula for helping to
reform and liberalize
economies from the former
Soviet block.”
• Help modernizing their
economy.
• Could be a precursor to EU
membership.
• Russian bullying
What does this show us?
Case Study: European Union Ad (2012)
• China, India & Brazil are 3 of the EU’s
competitors
• Ad conveys a message (intentional or not)
that a “serene Europe” can “subdue
foreign foes.”
• What do you think? Are people reading too
much into this ad? No?
Case Study: The United Kingdom
• There is some debate
in the UK over
whether membership
in the EU is good or
bad, and whether
they should stay or
withdraw in the future
• David Cameron
The UK: Jobs?
*Better off out:
If small/medium firms were
freed from EU regulations,
there could be a job boom.
*Better to stay:
Sectors linked to the EU could
suffer (aerospace, car
industry)
Millions of jobs could be lost
if global manufacturers moved
to lower cost EU countries
The UK: Money?
• Better off out:
It would save billions in
membership fees
*Better to stay:
Benefits to business
outweigh membership
fees
The UK: Influence?
• Better off out:
The UN would remain a key part
of NATO, the UN Security
Council, a nuclear power and
has a powerful global voice on
its own.
*Better to stay:
Britain could find itself
increasingly ignored by
Washington and sidelined on
transnational issues e.g.
environment, security and trade.
America and other allies want
Britain to stay. Britain risks
isolation.
Assignment
To What Extent Essay
Introduction
•
•
•
•
Provide some context to your paper
General to specific
Thesis
Be clear, and concise
Body Paragraphs
• One paragraph=one idea
• Point, proof, analysis
• You can include more than one proof per
paragraph, if you want, but it should relate
to the same point.
• Make sure to research and have strong
proofs
Conclusion
• Say what you’ve already said; restate
your thesis in different words
• Summarize the three points of your essay
• Convince your reader, last words.
To What Extent?
• To what point? How far? How much?
• Persuasive writing; you are taking a
stance
• Last point should be a counterpoint, but
show how your arguments are more
powerful!!!