Understanding State Structures and the European Union

Understanding the State and Governance

State: Institutions created to organize the lives of people and the activities within a territory, governed by the same laws and under the same power.

The Role of Power

Power establishes laws regulating social relations, enforces the law through the judicial system, maintains security, manages foreign policy, raises taxes to provide aid, directs the economy, and manages public services such as health and education.

Constitution and Officials

• Constitution: A set of fundamental laws, established by vote, which determines the form of government, establishes the rights and duties of citizens and institutions, and defines the functioning of the state.
• Officials: People who form a group that works for a public body.

Democracy and Political Processes

• Referendum: A query on a particular issue that people can accept or reject.
• Democracy: A system where citizens appoint representatives by election to exercise sovereignty on their behalf.
• Division of Powers:
  • Parliament: Processes laws and voting (legislative function).
  • Government: Determines the policy to be pursued by the State (executive function).
  • Judiciary: Law enforcement (judicial function).
• Features of Elections: Must be free, plural, periodic, and based on universal suffrage.

Forms of Government

• Monarchy: The King is the highest authority, but sovereignty resides with the people.
• Republic: Government is in the hands of a president or prime minister.
• Absolute Monarchy: The king concentrates all power or appoints individuals to exercise these functions on his behalf.

The European Union

On 25 March 1957, the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community (EEC) with Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Spain and Portugal integrated on 1 January 1986.

Objectives of the EU

• Momentum for economic and social progress.
• Affirmation of European identity in the international arena.
• Introduction of European citizenship.
• Development of an area of freedom, security, and justice.
• Maintenance and development of community sense.

EU Supranational Institutions

• European Council: Comprises heads of state or government members, accompanied by foreign ministers; defines broad areas of action and development.
• The Council: Consists of representatives of EU member states; makes important decisions by unanimity or majority.
• European Parliament: Elected by universal suffrage; exercises the legislative function and can reform laws.
• European Commission: Exercises the executive function; formed by the President and Commissioners to ensure compliance with regulations and propose legal texts.
• The Court of Justice: Performs the judicial function; ensures respect for, interpretation of, and enforcement of EU law.
• Ombudsman: May be consulted by citizens of member states.