SUPRANATIONALISM >>
cooperation over conflict…
Supranationalism….
A supranational organization is one in which member states
surrender power in specific areas to a higher organization.
Decisions made by a supranational organization must be
obeyed by the member states.
Often there are courts to determine when violations have
occurred, although frequently enforcement mechanisms are not
as effective as they are within nation-states.
Many supranat’l orgs are economic but
can have political or military aspects
such as EU, NATO…
Examples of supranationalism
European Union
ASEAN – Association
of SE Asian
Nations…
History of Supranational
organizations
Trade Leagues
One of the most common forms of supranational organizations
in history is that of leagues, generally composed of states
seeking to resist some common military or economic threat by
combining their forces.
Early city leagues, such as the Achaean and Aetolian leagues in
ancient Greece
Remember also the Hanseatic and the Swabian leagues of Europe
The Mandalas of South East Asia in the 1300’s – 1800’s
NAFTA – first trade agreement
b/t ‘MDC’ and ‘LDC’*
countries…
NAFTA decisions
affect issues and create
issues,
such as where a highway
route passes within a
country…
C o o p e r a t i o n +++++
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Supranationalism
–as more
countries cooperate politically and
economically, conflict is reduced on a
local, regional and global scale.
Spatial analysis of Supranationalism
Usually found in w/in regions
EU or NAFTA
Some groups are more global
UN, WTO, GATT, G8
The Future of Supranationalism
------- Issues------Supranational groups
may ‘devolve’, fall
apart like Yugoslavia
The EU member states
have failed to approve a
constitution because of
internal issues
The Future of Supranationalism
and globalism
One day we
++++
Supranational
groups
Encourage
Cooperation
and trade
thus
Discouraging
conflict/war
could live on a
truly global
planet
connected
thru culture,
politics,
economics,
etc… (like
Coruscant!)
THE EUROPEAN UNION
and Supranationalism >Bringing Europe Together.
1957: The European
Community or EC was created in
western Europe.

> Open to all democratic countries in
Europe.
> Eventually this group became the
EEC and then the EU.
ADVANTAGES of EU membership
+ No tariffs/import taxes on EU
produced products going to EU
countries
No tariffs = lower prices
= More
sales = higher profits = Higher
standard of living for all EU members
+ Common Passport
+ Common currency (17 of 26)
+ Universal voting
--------------------------------------------= Everyone in the EU is happier! (circa
2007)
ULTIMATE GOALS OF EU

Political union > A ‘United
States of Europe’ with a
constitution, etc… - a constitution
was voted down in Oct 05!

Common currency

Common military policy
>
Common eco
policy/integration
Membership requirements
1. Stable
Democracy
Human rights are
protected
Rule of Law is
recognized
Protection for
minorities
2. Market economy
in place
Infrastructure
functioning
Stable eco
3. Agree to adopt
common rules of EU
Devolution issues
One of the concerns (of member countries and potential
members) is the loss of individual culture or identity.
This is highlighted by EU rules for local foods and
production that are designed to make Europe
more homogeneous.
Examples of this would be the Slovokian
cucumbers or Hungarian “sausages”, and a
specific definition for chocolate!
DISADVANTAGES of membership
1.
Increased economic competition
between member nations
2.
No protection for local industries (E Europe
was used to this under communism…)
3.
Possible unemployment in certain industries
4. Loss of ‘national’ identity
Obstacles to complete unification
 History of hostilities
(France vs. Germany, Germany vs. Russia, UK vs.
France…..)
 Pride in own culture
 Nationalism – that nasty habit of being proud of
your heritage.
 Costs of unification
OBSTACLES TO EXPANSION
for Eastern European nations
Language issues
different customs than
W. Europe
history of war
amongst selves
Strong national unity
unstable
governments
low standard of
living
Poor infrastructure
Not acquainted with
a market economy
b/c of 70 years of
communism
SIMILAR TRADE AGREEMENTS
AROUND THE WORLD
NAFTA: US/Canada/Mexico
ASEAN: SE Asia
OAS: Western Hemisphere
FYI > Workers in the EU are paid high
wages by world standards. They also
receive generous benefits, high salaries
and long vacations. They also receive
socialized healthcare.
> This limits the ability to make a profit and
limits the number of new jobs created.
> The EU is attempting to move lower income
manufacturing jobs to the new Eastern
European members in order to keep costs
down.
> The intent is to keep EU companies from
relocating to China or Southeast Asia.
The combined gross domestic product of
the EU is roughly that of the USA. That
makes the EU an economic competitor
One goal of the EEC, the EC, and the
European Union is to promote economic
integration among member countries.
This included
the free flow
or goods and
services
across the
borders.
Another goal of the EU is to make member
countries more competitive in the global economy.
They use a tax on economies to update
infrastructure, industries, services and
technologies in member countries.
The major competitors to the EU are the
USA, Japan, and China.
1993-A common currency was proposed. The
Maastricht Treaty opened the way for the
EURO, a currency used in 12 countries of the
European Union.
Three countries chose not to adopt the Euro.
They were the Untied Kingdom (the “pound”,
seen below), Sweden and Denmark.
Countries such as the UK, France, Germany,
are much wealthier than countries like
Portugal, Spain, Greece.
Another goal of the EU is to bring the lower
tier countries up to the upper level of
development.
NGO’s -- Non-Government Organizations
NAFTA
OAS -- Organization of
American States
African Union