The Success of the European Union

The European Union can be traced back to the 1940’s when British wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill envisaged a United States of Europe. However, Churchill had no idea how powerful an institution it would become by the late 20th century.

The formation of the EU came just over a decade after the Second World War, 1957. For the EU’s originators the EU was a way of reducing national hostility, resentment and competition, which had driven the continent into war. The European Coal and Steel Community began to unite European countries not just economically but politically in order to prolong peace. The member states then consisted of just six, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. Now fifty years in the European Union consists of twenty-seven member states.

The ECSC in 1952 was the first step towards a supranational Europe, as the six member states relinquished part of their sovereignty in favour of the community. Integration came to a standstill in 1954 due to the failure of the European Defence Community. However, unlike some feared this was not the end of the ECSC as a committee of ministers submitted two drafts that agreed to the options selected by member states which were, the creation of a general market and the creation of an atomic energy community. The member states ratified the treaties on March 1957.

The first treaty established the EEC; the objectives are that of determination to provide a closer union among the people of Europe, also the establishment of a common market that removed trade barriers. However, limitations were placed upon the free movement of people, capital and services until the later major revision, the Single European act.

Another significant agreement included i...

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...en a success, from six to twenty-seven member states. Despite the one major concern, the loss of national sovereignty, many countries reap benefits of being an EU member. As with the primary signing of treaties upon becoming a member of the EU, countries choose to give up part of their individualism. All countries that have joined despite internal sceptics, have acknowledged the benefits of tackling problems at a global level with collective decision-making, which they could have not possibly alter working as a lone nation. As to what direction the EU will take is for now down to the member states, but it is evident that the continuous pooling of sovereignty is essential in order to achieve the shared objectives and if countries want to see change they can protect their sense of identity while sharing sovereignty and continually building on the “ever closer union”.