Trend Towards Supranationalism: Good? Bad? Somewhere in

between?

Contemporary World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh98D4KtMZI

Pros of Joining the EU• Free trade and no tariffs• Common currency• Free movement (more job

opportunities)• Access to more resources• Avoidance of conflict• Sense of belonging and

unity• Sustainability• Avoidance of compromising

national identity• Regulations to avoid larger

countries dominating • Public agencies (subsidies)

Cons of Joining the EU• No common language• Extra level of gvt removes some

power and responsibility from countries

• Some countries see it as a threat to national identity

• Border of Europe is not defined i.e. Morocco

• The Commission serves the EU’s interest, not the country’s

• Less control for member countries

• Hard to withdraw• The gvt leader can be removed if

thought necessary i.e. Greece• Some wealth has to be shared

between countries

Case Study: Ukraine

• Long been on the edge of East & West

• Country of 46m might turn towards the west; association agreement with the EU freer trade

• Putin putting pressure to join a Eurasian customs union

Case Study: Ukraine

• Russia is still the biggest market for Ukrainian exports

• Ukraine would get cheaper gas

• Russia would ease their huge debt

• Russia, unlike the EU “would not make pesky demands for human rights, the rule of law, an end to corruption and a proper democracy.”

Case Study: Ukraine

• Ukraine has a lot to gain moving West

• Trade would be shifting to a bigger and richer market

• The EU has a “well tried formula for helping to reform and liberalize economies from the former Soviet block.”

• Help modernizing their economy.

• Could be a precursor to EU membership.

• Russian bullying

What does this show us?

Case Study: European Union Ad (2012)

• China, India & Brazil are 3 of the EU’s competitors

• Ad conveys a message (intentional or not) that a “serene Europe” can “subdue foreign foes.”

• What do you think? Are people reading too much into this ad? No?

Case Study: The United Kingdom

• There is some debate in the UK over whether membership in the EU is good or bad, and whether they should stay or withdraw in the future

• David Cameron

The UK: Jobs?

*Better off out:

If small/medium firms were freed from EU regulations, there could be a job boom.

*Better to stay:

Sectors linked to the EU could suffer (aerospace, car industry)

Millions of jobs could be lost if global manufacturers moved to lower cost EU countries

The UK: Money?

• Better off out:

It would save billions in membership fees

*Better to stay:

Benefits to business outweigh membership fees

The UK: Influence?• Better off out:

The UN would remain a key part of NATO, the UN Security Council, a nuclear power and has a powerful global voice on its own.

*Better to stay:

Britain could find itself increasingly ignored by Washington and sidelined on transnational issues e.g. environment, security and trade.

America and other allies want Britain to stay. Britain risks isolation.

Assignment

To What Extent Essay

Introduction

• Provide some context to your paper • General to specific• Thesis • Be clear, and concise

Body Paragraphs

• One paragraph=one idea• Point, proof, analysis • You can include more than one proof per

paragraph, if you want, but it should relate to the same point.

• Make sure to research and have strong proofs

Conclusion

• Say what you’ve already said; restate your thesis in different words

• Summarize the three points of your essay• Convince your reader, last words.

To What Extent?

• To what point? How far? How much?• Persuasive writing; you are taking a

stance• Last point should be a counterpoint, but

show how your arguments are more powerful!!!