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Supranationalism- the principle or practice
of international cooperation above and
beyond national limitations.
Group of 28 countries that work together
◦ Economically
◦ Politically
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Originated after WW2
◦ France, West Germany, Italy and Benelux
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New organization called European Coal and
Steel Community
Countries depended on each other for
resources
Next Steps
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In 1957
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European Economic Community EEC
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Removed trade barriers
Allowed people to work and live in member
countries
EC
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The EEC became the EC – European
Community
New members were invited:
UK and Ireland 1973
Denmark 1973
Spain 1986
Portugal 1986
Sweden 1995
In 1993
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The European Union was formed
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In 2004
Large expansion of previous communist
countries
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Now 28 countries
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Stable democracy that respects human rights
Functioning market economy
Agrees to follow all EU guidelines.
What has changed?
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Franc
Mark
Lira
Peseta
Guilder
Drachma
Escudo
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Creation of a single market
◦ Eliminates tariffs
◦ Find work in other EU country
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Adoption of the Euro
◦ Easier for travel and trade
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Created a powerful trade bloc
◦ Increased worldwide trading partners
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Brings countries together to focus on issues they
ALL share.
Countries receive votes based mostly on
population but there is a formula to give smaller
countries a voice.
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Over 20 different
languages exist
◦ Making genuine
unification difficult
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Afraid of losing
country identity
◦ Immigration policies
have been created
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Economic Competition
makes cooperation a
challenge
Economic imbalance
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Different regional economic power
Greece
Germany
Immigrants from N.
Africa & the Middle
East
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◦
Entry into one country
opens up residency in
all EU countries
Questions –
read your notes and look at p.326-327 of
textbook
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How are recent eastern EU members different
from other EU members?
Why do some people think tensions might
increase if Turkey joins the EU? – (it is a
candidate right now)
Why are some countries reluctant to join the
Euro?
Answers
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They do not have experience with democracy
and they are less prosperous
Turkey is culturally different, has a history of
conflict with Greece, a history of human
rights abuse
They fear losing control of their economy