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The European Union

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Some basic information

• The EU currently includes 27 states• It has 23 official languages• The EU has a population of over 500

million– U.S. population is 315 million

• An area of around 1.6 million sq miles– U.S. is 3.8 million sq miles

• Population density of 300 per sq mile– U.S. is 88 persons per sq mile

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European Coal and Steel Community

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Later developments

• Treaty of Rome (1957) creates EEC (AKA the “common market”

• During the 1960s, EEC develops a common agricultural policy

• EEC also adopts free trade among its members

• During the 80s and 90s, southern European countries join (and get aid)

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Maastricht Treaty (1993)

• Name changed to European Union• Four freedoms adopted:

• goods• Services• People• Money

• EU obtains more power over immigration and border control

• Also education and public health

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EU members today

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Treaty of Lisbon

This consolidates and amends the previous Treaties. It addresses:

• making the EU more democratic, efficient and transparent

• tackling global challenges such as climate change, security and sustainable development

• it was ratified by all EU countries and entered into force in 2009.

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EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS

• The European Council

• The European Parliament

• The Council of the EU (aka Council of Ministers in the Glendon book)

• European Commission

• The European Court of Justice (ECJ)

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EUROPEAN COUNCIL

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European Parliament

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European Commission

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European Court of Justice

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Functions of the ECJ

• Interprets treaties and legislation of the EU

• Ensures that EU legislation is consistent with treaties

• Can make preliminary determinations (advisory rulings) on the above matters at the request of Member States’ highest courts

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Types (sources) of Law in the EU

There are three types or sources of law:• primary: treaties• secondary: EU legislation authorized by the

treaties– directives (must be implemented by Member States)– regulations (directly applicable to all Member States)– decisions (administrative)

• tertiary: ECJ decisions, etc.

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European Convention on Human Rights

• Adopted in 1953• Rights protected include:

– Freedom of life, liberty, privacy, conscience and religion, fair trials, expression and association, etc.

– Prohibitions against servitude, torture, and discrimination

• It is enforced by the European Court of Human Rights in Luxemburg

• Binding on all EU Member States (via Lisbon treaty)

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Growing Power of EU Law

• Consumer protection

• Anti-competition law

• Re-cycling of e-waste

• Monetary Policy

WILL THE EU EVER BECOME ONE NATION???