European Union

Definition

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe. It was established to foster cooperation, promote economic and social progress, and ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital among its members.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The EU was established in 1993 with the Maastricht Treaty, which transformed the former European Economic Community into the European Union.
2. The EU has a single market with a common currency (the euro) and a common trade policy, allowing for the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital.
3. The EU has developed a common agricultural policy, a common fisheries policy, and a common trade policy, which are coordinated among the member states.
4. The EU has a complex institutional structure, including the European Parliament, the European Council, the European Commission, and the Court of Justice of the European Union.
5. The EU has expanded over time, with the most recent member state being Croatia, which joined in 2013.

Review Questions

• Explain how the European Union's common market and trade policy impact the level of trade among its member states.
  • The European Union's common market and trade policy have a significant impact on the level of trade among its member states. The free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor within the EU's single market has facilitated increased trade and economic integration among member states. Additionally, the EU's common trade policy, which includes a unified tariff and trade agreements with non-EU countries, has further promoted trade by reducing barriers and harmonizing trade regulations across the member states. These factors have contributed to higher levels of intra-EU trade, as member states can more easily access each other's markets and participate in regional supply chains.
• Describe how the Eurozone, as a monetary union within the European Union, can influence the trade balance of its member states.
  • The Eurozone, as a monetary union within the European Union, can influence the trade balance of its member states in several ways. By sharing a common currency, Eurozone members are unable to use exchange rate adjustments to address trade imbalances, as they would in a flexible exchange rate system. This can lead to divergent competitiveness and trade balances among Eurozone members, as some countries may become less competitive relative to others. Additionally, the common monetary policy set by the European Central Bank may not be optimal for all Eurozone members, potentially exacerbating trade imbalances. The Eurozone's institutional framework and fiscal rules can also impact member states' ability to address trade deficits through domestic policies, further influencing their trade balances.
• Evaluate how the European Union's institutional structure and decision-making processes can affect the trade balance of member states, particularly in the context of resolving trade imbalances.
  • The European Union's complex institutional structure and decision-making processes can significantly impact the trade balance of its member states, particularly when it comes to resolving trade imbalances. The EU's multi-level governance, with shared competencies between the supranational institutions (e.g., the European Commission, the European Parliament) and the member states, can make it challenging to coordinate and implement effective policies to address trade imbalances. The need for consensus-building and compromise among member states with diverse economic interests can slow down or hinder the implementation of corrective measures. Additionally, the EU's fiscal rules and the limited fiscal policy tools available to member states can constrain their ability to use domestic policies to address trade deficits. The institutional dynamics and decision-making processes within the EU can thus be a significant factor in determining the effectiveness of efforts to resolve trade imbalances among its member states.

Related terms

Eurozone: The Eurozone is a monetary union of 19 of the 27 European Union member states that have adopted the euro as their common currency and sole legal tender.

Common Market: The Common Market, or European Single Market, is the internal market of the European Union, which allows the free movement of goods, capital, services, and labor within the EU.

European Commission: The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties, and managing the day-to-day operations of the EU.