The relationship between the UK and the EU has become a hot issue in the United Kingdom. There are many doubts whether the former should leave the European Union or not. Some people are not satisfied with the Union the way it currently operates and think that it is taking their freedom away. In my essay I would try to analyse the aforementioned relationship from the core and try to answer the question formed in the topic. It is true that our geography has shaped our psychology, said David Cameron delivering a speech on the European Union in 2013. That sole, irrefutable fact highlights the kind of relation that the United Kingdom has with the European Union for many years now. We have the character of an island nation, Cameron continues. ‘Lying off the north-west coast of Europe, there are two large islands and several smaller ones.” (O’Driscoll 8) The fact that the United Kingdom is an island indeed shaped not only psychology of its citizens but also its history. “Period of isolation has long gone, but perhaps it still retains some of its impact upon the British people, who do not want ties with the Continent." claims Vernon Bognador. ‘The ideal of a united Europe, strong in economic and political institutions, became increasingly attractive to European statesmen after the Second World War (1939–45)’ (Oakland 101) The chance to unite the Europe appeared with the arousal of European Economic Community (EEC), when six countries (West Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy) signed the Treaty of Rome. That agreement shaped the future for the future generation that we currently live in. Britain regarded itself as a commercial power and did not wish to be restricted by European relationships. At that time, t... ... middle of paper ... ...ple: An Introduction For Learners Of English: Revised And Updated. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print. Springford, John, Tilford, Simon. The Great British Trade-off The Impact of Leaving the EU on the UK’s Trade and Investment. Centre for European Reform. Web. 10 May 2014. . Vaughan-Rees, Michael, Geraldine ,. Sweeney, and Picot ,. Cassidy. In Britain. London: Chancerel International, 2000. Print. Wheeler, Brian, Peter, Laurence. "UK and the EU: Better off out or In?" BBC News. N.p., 14 May 2013. Web. 16 May 2014. . Wilson, Sam. "Love 'em or Hate 'em - Britain's Rocky Relationship with the EU."BBC News. N.p., 1 Apr. 2014. Web. 25 Apr. 2014. .
”Examine the extent to which the benefits of UK membership in the European Union outweigh the costs”
Jones, A., 2007. Britain and the European Union. 1st ed. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press Ltd
In September of 1946, Winston Churchill made a speech at Zurich University in which he called for a "'United States of Europe'" (www.euro.ecb.int); clearly, this was not a new idea. Churchill thought that by uniting Europe, they would be able to put an end to Europe's decline economically in markets that the United States was quickly taking over.
Tom Newton Dunn, ‘Go to the war on the Eurom Law’ The Sun, 7 February 2011accessed 29 March 2011 http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3395471/David-Cameron-urged-to-go-to-war-over-Euro-law.html
When World War II ended the final remnants of the old European order lay in ruins. With such devastation wrought upon the continent twice in less than fifty years, it was remarkable that Europe managed to recover. What is even more remarkable is the Phoenix that rose from these ashes, and the new feelings of unity that accompanied the ending of the war. Those nations of western Europe began to do what decades ago had been unthinkable: develop the blueprints for a common system of the United Europe.
...2013, March). Arguments for and against EU enlargement. Retrieved November 3, 2013, from Debating Europe: http://www.debatingeurope.eu/focus/infobox-arguments-for-and-against-eu-enlargement/#.UoLA9_mkoQ0
Europe will not run the 21st century because of a combination of economic, institutional, and cultural factors. However, for the purpose of this paper, I will focus on the economic aspects of European society that will impede EU ascendency. I do not believe that the EU will cease to exist in the coming century, but I do believe it will become obsolete because it will be unable to make the necessary changes to their demographic problems, defense policies, and economic culture in response to the increasing American ascendency. Europe has long been known as the continent home to the great powers of the world. From Caesar to Napoleon to the British Empire, the European empires have continuously been at the helm of the ship of progress. The wars of the 20th century however, left Europe in a wake of destruction and chaos period before. The continent was devastated and had little hope to recover. In this new era of European descent, the great American Era came into existence. The US, one of the remaining superpowers, became the helping hand that Europe needed. With the aid allocated by the Marshall Plan and the creation of programs and institutions, Europe had a future. The creation of the European Union (EU) united the European countries over the common goal of preventing war another war. The United States intended for these programs to be a stepping-stone to build the economic and institutional powers of Europe, because a stronger Europe was good for the US. However, instead of using these as a springboard to create self-reliant union, the EU remains reliant on US military and hard power to support them their social efforts.
Cerutti, F and Lucarelli, S: The Search for a European Identity: Values, Policies and Legitmacy of the European Union, (2008) Routledge
In this essay I will be discussing the reasons behind the creation of the European Union. I will be go into detail on the condition of Europe post World War Two and the division between the East and West which was caused by ongoing tension between the United States of America and USSR. I will state the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of the European Union and whether the European Union has been a success or not.
Hix, S. 2011. The EU as a new political system. In: Caramani, D. eds. 2011.Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
“From time to time it is worth reminding ourselves why twenty-seven European nation states have come together voluntarily to form the partnership that is the European Union.” 1
On the one hand, without international relations from the EU, Britain is economically and socially vulnerable. While Britain’s exit from the EU may define Britain’s power according to British citizens, the type of power that matters is relative power, which is the power when it is being compared to other states. If the other states do not recognize Britain as a force of power, then its exit from the EU is pointless. On the other hand, by discontinuing the benefits granted by the EU, Britain declines the assistance that could have helped the country to become more powerful. In other words, Brexit decreases a source of gathering power for Britain, since the EU not only offers economic opportunities, but it also provides useful information so that the member states can behave accordingly. Overall, realism suggests that while Brexit increases Britain’s confidence in being powerful, it also decreases the country’s power in a way.
Pro-EU politicians will argue that the EU 's purpose is what it has been since its early begins, to join a continent into one economic, political, and social environment for the benefit of all of Europe. They will continue their argument by highlighting the benefits of being part of such a union in terms of the power and recognition it brings to a country. Ending their argument by claiming that the EU helps keep the continent secure, prosperous, and united as a whole (Ash 2-4). However, while these assertions on paper are appealing, in reality, they are no longer true. The EU and its member states have long been plagued by economic crisis, security risk, terrorist attacks, annexation, and even in inequality. While at one time the EU was a union that countries and continents idolized and respected, over the years it has begun to crumble into nothing more than a dysfunctional meeting of European world
The story of Europe is a story that is worth telling for the simple fact that without the background of Europe, people will not understand the complexities in the creation of the Europe of yesterday and creation of the Europe today. This rich history cannot be ignored because of the close ties to the creation of the nations and the supranational institutions that have become the European Union and its trade partners. Without the background on the history of Europe the creation of this larger organization or supranational organization would be nearly impossible to understand the complexities of the current political, social and economic qualities within the EU. The history of a country, state or organization also helps us to understand the some aspects of the future of the EU.
My research paper will look at the advantages and disadvantages of Ireland becoming a member of the European Union. The advantages I'll be addressing will be the impact it has had for the agriculture sector, education and training, the impact on citizens and impact of the single currency in Ireland. The disadvantages will link in with the advantages as it has affected different areas since Ireland’s membership. I'll also give a brief overview of the European Union and how it was established.