What does quantitative evolution of the EU mean?
The increase in the number of member states as more countries join the EU over time
Which countries were the six founding members of the European Communities?
Netherlands
Belgium
Germany
France
Italy
Luxembourg
Which countries joined after the first 6 in 1973
UK, denmark, ireland (Norway did not enter in the end)
Why is the 2004 enlargement historically important?
It was the largest enlargement in EU history, bringing many Central and Eastern European countries into the EU.
What happened in 2020 regarding EU membership?
The United Kingdom left the EU, the first country ever to withdraw.
Why did the EU enlarge after the Cold War?
After the fall of communism they wanted to integrate the central and eastern countries into the european political and economic system
What are the Copenhagen Criteria?
The conditions countries must meet to join the EU:
- democracy
- protection of minorities
- functioning market economy
- ability to adopt EU laws.
Why does EU enlargement increase heterogeneity in the Union?
Because new members differ in:
- economic development
- population size
- political priorities
–> This makes decision-making more complex.
What are the three main Copenhagen Criteria?
- Political criteria
- Economic criteria
- Adoption of EU law (acquis communautaire)
What does the political Copenhagen criterion require?
- human rights
- democracy
- rule of law
- protection of minorities
What does the economic Copenhagen criterion require?
a functioning market economy that can deal with competition within the EU single market
What does the legal / institutional Copenhagen criterion require?
must adopt and implement all EU laws and regulations, known as the acquis communautaire.
What is the acquis communautaire?
The complete body of EU law and rules that all member states must follow.
When were Copenhagen criteria implemented
1993, after the Cold War to make sure that the countries would be democratic and follow the economic standards
What does qualitative evolution of the EU mean?
treaties that changed power, institutions, and the policies of the EU
What was the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)?
A community created in 1951 to integrate coal and steel industries and prevent future wars in Europe.
The treaty was signed for 50 years and expired in 2002.
What is important to know about the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)
it was signed for 50 years and expended in 2002
What were the Treaties of Rome?
Two treaties signed in 1957 that created:
the European Economic Community (EEC)
EURATOM (European Atomic Energy Community)
They aimed to create a COMMON MARKET
What did the Brussels (Merger) Treaty of 1965 do?
It merged the institutions of the three European Communities so they shared one Commission and one Council, making the system more efficient.
made in the treaties of Rome and ECSC
What was the Single European Act?
Revised THE TREATIES OF ROME, aimed to COMPLETE THE SINGLE MARKET and introduced more European COOPERATION in foreign policy.
What did the Maastricht Treaty establish?
two things
It created the EUROPEAN UNION and introduced plans for the Economic and MONTETARY UNION (euro).
What was the purpose of the Treaty of Amsterdam?
reform EU institutions and strengthen cooperation in areas like justice, migration, and foreign policy.
What was the main purpose of the Treaty of Nice?
To change EU decision-making rules so the EU could work with many more member states before the big 2004 enlargement.
What was the main purpose of the Treaty of Lisbon?
To make the EU more efficient and democratic, with stronger powers for the European Parliament.
