The European Union: History, Policies, and Challenges

The European Union: A Historical Overview

Multidimensional Missions

Effective consent-based missions often include:

• Election monitoring
• Human rights training
• Police reform
• Mine clearing
• Security training
• Refugee resettlement
• Monetary reconstruction

Organizing Regionally

The European Union (EU), a centuries-old idea, was championed by Jean Monnet, one of its founders. Monnet believed that post-World War II economic integration could further undermine the weakened forces of nationalism. The EU's creation and development began as a functionalist idea, with some advocating for a more federalist approach. It can be viewed as a response to the pitfalls of the capitalist "race to the bottom."

Birth of the European Union

• 1951: European Coal and Steel Community: Founded by Germany, France, Italy, and the Benelux countries. This aimed to prevent future inter-European wars by establishing a common market.
• 1957: European Economic Commission: Expanded the common market with legislative power, establishing the Commission President, Council of Ministers, and upper & lower legislature through the Treaty of Rome.
• 1964: Costa v ENEL at the European Court of Justice.
• 1967: European Community: Expanded beyond solely economic policy.
• 1973: UK, Denmark, and Ireland joined the EC.
• 1979: First direct elections to the EC Parliament.
• 1993: European Union: Officially established through the Maastricht Treaty.
• 2002: The euro entered circulation.
• 2009: Treaty of Lisbon became law.
• 2013: Croatia became the 28th member of the EU.

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

• Dignity: Prohibits torture, slavery, and the death penalty.
• Freedoms: Protects thought, expression, assembly, work, property, and privacy.
• Equality: Guarantees equality regardless of gender, orientation, race, and age.
• Solidarity: Addresses working conditions, unfair termination, and access to healthcare.
• Citizenship: Includes the right to vote, access to documents, good governance, and the right to petition the EU.
• Justice: Ensures the presumption of innocence, fair trial, and effective remedy.
• Interpretation and Application

EU Policies and Problems

The EU faces several key policy challenges:

Security Policy

• Failed efforts to establish a common security policy.
• Absence of a unified European military.

Economic and Social Policies

• Unified monetary policy but lacks a unified approach to social expenditure.
• 19 members of the Eurozone.

Open Borders and Human Rights

• Schengen Policy: Free movement of citizens through 22 European states.
• Ongoing challenges related to refugee policy.