European Union

Definition

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries that are committed to regional integration and cooperation. Established to foster economic collaboration and ensure peace among member states, the EU promotes standards for good governance and institutional quality across its institutions, which helps in maintaining democratic values and rule of law.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The European Union was founded in 1993 with the Maastricht Treaty, which aimed to enhance political and economic integration among member states.
2. One of the key objectives of the EU is to promote good governance, which includes ensuring transparency, accountability, and participation in decision-making processes.
3. The EU has its own institutions like the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council that play crucial roles in formulating policies and legislation.
4. Through various treaties and agreements, the EU has expanded its powers to include areas such as environmental policy, consumer protection, and regional development.
5. The EU emphasizes institutional quality by encouraging member states to maintain strong judicial systems, anti-corruption measures, and effective public administration.

Review Questions

• How does the European Union promote good governance among its member states?
  • The European Union promotes good governance by establishing standards and frameworks that member states must adhere to. This includes encouraging transparency in government operations, ensuring accountability of public officials, and promoting citizen participation in decision-making processes. The EU also supports initiatives that strengthen judicial independence and reduce corruption within member countries, helping to enhance institutional quality throughout the region.
• Discuss the role of EU institutions in ensuring the quality of governance within member states.
  • EU institutions like the European Commission and European Parliament play significant roles in overseeing governance quality by implementing policies that promote democracy and rule of law. The European Commission monitors compliance with EU laws and regulations among member states. The European Parliament represents citizens’ interests and influences legislative decisions related to governance standards. Together, these institutions help ensure that member states uphold high levels of institutional quality across various sectors.
• Evaluate how the principles of good governance practiced by the European Union impact its relationship with candidate countries seeking membership.
  • The principles of good governance established by the European Union significantly impact its relationship with candidate countries. These nations are required to meet the Copenhagen Criteria before they can join the EU, which include demonstrating stable democratic institutions and upholding the rule of law. This means that candidate countries must implement reforms to improve their governance systems, which ultimately strengthens their political stability and economic viability. As these nations align their governance practices with EU standards, it fosters closer ties between them and the Union while also promoting regional stability.

Related terms

Schengen Area: A group of 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders, allowing for free movement of people.

Eurozone: The group of European Union countries that have adopted the euro (€) as their official currency, facilitating economic stability and integration.

Copenhagen Criteria: The essential requirements that a country must meet to join the European Union, focusing on stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect for and protection of minorities, a functioning market economy, and the ability to adopt the EU's laws.