Integration Of Europe

Integration Of Europe is the process of industrial, economic, political, legal, social and cultural integration of states wholly or partially in Europe or nearby. More integration implies greater shared decision-making, shared laws, and shared legal and political systems. The process of European Integration has deepened since the Second World War.

Timeline of European Integration

1951: The treaty of Paris is signed by Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Netherlands, creating the European coal and steel community 1951. The European court of Justice is established.

1953: A common market for coal, iron ore, scrap iron and steel is formally established in Europe.

1957: The Treaty of Rome is signed by the original six members of ESC, as the first step towards establishing the common market, Customs union, and free movement of capital and labour.

1973: Denmark, Ireland and United Kingdom formally join the European communities.

1992: The Maastricht Treaty turns the European Community into the European Union.

1998: The Europen central bank is established in Germany. It is responsible for setting Monetary policy for the Euro Countries and managing foreign reserves.

1999: The Euro is launched as the official currency.

Theoretical Bases of European Integration

Countries that value their independence often decide to join forces with other nations to merge their economies, trade, and governance. It might seem counterintuitive for a sovereign state to relinquish some control to an external, possibly unelected entity. However, circumstances arise where nations find it beneficial to pool their resources and decision-making. In the case of European Integration post-World War II, several theories attempt to explain this phenomenon.

Functionalism and Neo-functionalism:

Think of functionalism as the idea that if countries struggle to handle their issues internally, an international organization might be better equipped to tackle them.
A classic example is international air traffic control, crucial for global air travel, something no single country can manage alone.

Inter-governmentalism:

This theory suggests that countries prefer to keep their sovereignty intact and only collaborate when it serves their interests, regardless of what supranational elites might think.
Post-Brexit, many argue that intergovernmentalism not only explains the past but also predicts possible future scenarios.

Balance of Power:

According to this theory, countries integrate when they feel militarily weaker than some rivals and are unsure of their intentions.
In essence, the EU’s integration wasn’t just a response to post-WWII economic conditions or a hidden desire to recreate the Concert of Europe. It was a deliberate move to “keep the Americans in, the Russians out, and the Germans down.”

Reasons for European Integration

European nations united to champion peace, shared values, and the overall welfare of their citizens.
The alliance aims to provide freedom, security, and justice internally, removing borders for its citizens while securing external borders to regulate immigration, prevent crime, and uphold asylum principles.
The formation of a seamless internal market was sought to promote economic collaboration and shared prosperity among member states.
The union strives for sustainable development, balancing economic growth, price stability, and a thriving market economy that ensures full employment and social progress.
An integral goal is to safeguard and improve the quality of the environment through collective efforts and policies.
The union aspires to be at the forefront of scientific and technological progress, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange among member nations.
Collective action is taken to address social issues, combatting social exclusion and discrimination to ensure equal opportunities for all.
The union is committed to promoting social justice, gender equality, and safeguarding the rights of children.
Efforts are directed towards strengthening economic, social, and territorial cohesion, fostering solidarity among member countries.
The union respects and celebrates the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of its member states.
The introduction of the euro signifies a step towards a unified economic and monetary system, promoting financial cooperation among member nations.

History of European Integration Process

After the devastation of World War II in 1945, Europe lay in ruins. That year, the United Nations founding Charter was signed in San Francisco, signaling a collective desire for a more united Europe as a beacon of peace. The idea of European unity emerged as a shield against the resurgence of wartime nationalism.
In 1949, the Council of Europe was founded in London, with 10 countries coming together at the first pan-European assembly to champion democracy and human rights. Notably, France and Germany spearheaded the establishment of an economic alliance, giving birth to the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, comprising France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Buoyed by this success, the six nations expanded their economic collaboration, culminating in the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. This treaty laid the foundation for the European Economic Community (EEC), extending cooperation beyond coal and steel to various economic sectors.
In the 1980s, the EEC embraced the emerging democracies of Southern Europe, welcoming Greece in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. This enlargement not only promoted political stability but also fueled economic development in the Mediterranean region.
The pivotal moment arrived in 1992 when the European Union (EU) was officially established with the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, ushering in the single internal market. More than 50 years since its inception, the EU stands as a remarkable global example of the integration of diverse states, uniting 450 million people across 27 countries.
This dynamic integration witnessed the creation of supranational EU structures, aligning policies on economics, agriculture, energy, monetary matters, foreign policy, defense, as well as science, technology, and innovation. The EU’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of unity and cooperation in shaping a better future for nations once torn apart by war.

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