European Economic Community

Definition

The European Economic Community (EEC) was an international organization established in 1957 to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states. It aimed to create a common market, facilitating the free movement of goods, services, labor, and capital, thus fostering economic collaboration among European nations and contributing to regional stability and growth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The EEC was established by the Treaty of Rome, signed on March 25, 1957, by six founding countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany.
2. One of the main goals of the EEC was to ensure the free movement of goods and services across member states by eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers.
3. The EEC played a crucial role in promoting economic growth and integration in Western Europe during the post-World War II era.
4. In 1993, the EEC was formally incorporated into the European Union with the Maastricht Treaty, which expanded its objectives to include political and social aspects.
5. Over the years, the EEC grew to include more member countries, paving the way for deeper political and economic collaboration among European nations.

Review Questions

• How did the establishment of the European Economic Community influence economic collaboration among its member states?
  • The establishment of the European Economic Community significantly influenced economic collaboration among its member states by creating a framework for a common market. This allowed for the elimination of tariffs and trade barriers, promoting seamless trade between countries. As a result, member states experienced enhanced economic growth through increased market access and competition, leading to greater overall prosperity within the region.
• Evaluate the impact of the Single European Act on the goals of the European Economic Community.
  • The Single European Act had a profound impact on the goals of the European Economic Community by advancing its objective of creating a fully integrated single market. The Act aimed to remove remaining barriers to trade and foster greater economic cooperation among member states. By focusing on regulatory harmonization and encouraging mobility of labor and capital, the Single European Act enhanced economic integration and laid the groundwork for future developments within the EU.
• Analyze how the evolution from the European Economic Community to the European Union reflects changes in regional economic integration in Europe.
  • The evolution from the European Economic Community to the European Union reflects significant changes in regional economic integration in Europe by expanding beyond mere economic cooperation to encompass political and social dimensions. The transition marked a shift towards deeper integration through common policies on trade, environmental standards, and social issues. This development illustrates how regional economic integration has grown to address not only economic interdependence but also shared governance and collective identity among European nations.

Related terms

European Union: The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe, which evolved from the EEC and encompasses broader areas of cooperation beyond economic matters.

Common Market: A common market is a type of trade bloc that allows for free movement of goods, services, labor, and capital among member countries, similar to what the EEC sought to achieve.

Single European Act: The Single European Act, signed in 1986, was a significant treaty that aimed to create a single market within the EEC by removing barriers to trade and enhancing political cooperation.