The European Union

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The European Union began to take form shortly after the end of World War 2. But, it would take decades for the European Union to grow and become the globally recognized symbol of peace and cooperation that it is today.
As of today, there are 28 member states of the European Union. Along with five more countries that have requested acceptance into the EU, but still are waiting to hear the final verdict from the EU . The European Union has many common objectives that enable this supranational entity to fully function on a daily basis, year round. The first of which is strong economic ties to its member states. With strong economic ties in place between each member state, the EU has evolved into not only a continental market, but a massive global market. This was furthered even more with the implementation of the euro in 1999. With the introduction of the euro; trade and travel between countries became more encouraged and streamlined. As well as doing away with monetary exchange rates between countries within the EU . The euro radically changed the way citizens within member states of the European Union conducted themselves, their businesses and their lives.
The European Foreign and Security Policy is a necessary and important part of the European Union. These policies are discussed, drawn up, voted on and put into effect by the European Council. However, to implement a policy the vote within the Council must be unanimous, without unanimity no policy will be implemented . The rule of law in the European Union is essential to many of its actions, both at home and abroad. The rule of law is “that every action taken by the EU is founded on treaties that have been approved voluntarily and democratically by all EU member countries.”...

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...rights and the death penalty, the EU does not support or condone the death penalty. And thus will not extradite any individual to the U.S. for punishment unless the death penalty is not used. Another current disagreement is the affects of genetically modified food, and whether there is adverse health risks involved in the consumption of them. Many member states of the EU do not support and are unwilling to consume GMO food, but U.S. exporters and farmers are calling for the ban of GMO’s to be lifted .
The U.S. and the EU have a unique and diverse relationship in this globalized world. Each is willing to disagree on different policies, but is still able and willing to have a thriving economic and diplomatic relationship between each other. Within this relationship, the theory of liberalism is evident throughout with economic interdependence always coming before war.

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