The following central questions are discussed and evaluated in this essay: Why is there a demand for the United States of Europe (USE)? What are the motives and arguments for a common European federal state? What is the current situation and how strong are the EU member states currently united? What say the EU Treaty (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) about the United States of Europe? What says the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz)about a united Europe, for example, what speaks for and against the United States of Europe?
At the divorce drama between the EU and the British, all EU citizens have been watching in disbelief since 2016. The UK's exit from the EU (Brexit) finally took place on January 31, 2020. Great Britain has not been part of the EU internal single market or the customs union since January 1st, 2021. Nobody knows yet how things will go with European unification. Wouldn't it be nicer if everyone did not cook their own soup? Wouldn't it be useful if the other EU member states moved even closer together? Some people even want the United States of Europe (USE).
Today the EU a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe and act sovereign. Its catalog of objectives primarily includes maintaining stability and collective security in Europe as well as the principles of the UN Charter and international law (Art. 2, 3 TEU). Within the framework of these values, in addition to economic integration, the EU has always pursued the goal of expanding geographically on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to deepen legally and institutionally parallel to political developments.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 What is "the EU"?
- 3 What is "the United States of Europe (USE)"?
- 4 Current situation of the EU - "sovereign" or "united"?
- 5 How do TEU and TFEU view a "united Europe"?
- 6 How does the German constitution (GG) view a “united Europe”?
- 7 What are the advantages of establishing "the United States of Europe"?
- 8 What are the disadvantages of establishing “the United States of Europe”?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the arguments for and against the creation of a "United States of Europe (USE)." It explores the historical development of the European Union (EU), its current state, and the perspectives of the EU treaties and the German constitution on further integration. The essay aims to provide a balanced overview of the debate surrounding a more unified Europe.
- The historical evolution of the EU from economic to political union.
- The current state of unity among EU member states.
- The perspectives of the EU treaties (TEU and TFEU) on a more unified Europe.
- The perspective of the German constitution (GG) on a united Europe.
- Advantages and disadvantages of establishing a USE.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by referencing Brexit as a catalyst for contemplating the future of European unification. It introduces the concept of a "United States of Europe (USE)" and highlights the polarizing nature of this idea. The chapter briefly outlines the historical development of the EU, tracing its evolution from an economic to a political union, beginning with the ECSC in 1951 and culminating in the EU's establishment through the Maastricht Treaty of 1992. The introduction concludes by posing key questions that will be addressed throughout the essay, focusing on the arguments for and against the USE and the EU's potential future development.
2 What is "the EU"?: This chapter delves into the characteristics of the EU system, explaining its function as an association of states with its own competencies and resources. It highlights the EU's unique nature as a combination of supranational integration, intergovernmental cooperation, and international cooperation within a multilateral world order. The chapter describes the EU as a family of liberal-democratic countries, bound by common values and principles rooted in democracy, human rights, and social justice. The foundational motives behind European unification, including reactions to world wars and the desire for peace and security, are also discussed. Finally, the chapter outlines the EU's political system, focusing on the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 and the Lisbon Treaty of 2009, emphasizing the rule of law as a cornerstone of the EU's structure.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
European Union (EU), United States of Europe (USE), European integration, supranationalism, intergovernmental cooperation, TEU, TFEU, German Basic Law (GG), federal state, Brexit, European unification, advantages, disadvantages.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive language preview examining the arguments for and against the creation of a "United States of Europe (USE)." It explores the historical development of the European Union (EU), its current state, and the perspectives of the EU treaties and the German constitution on further integration.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
The key themes include the historical evolution of the EU from an economic to a political union, the current state of unity among EU member states, the perspectives of the EU treaties (TEU and TFEU) and the German constitution (GG) on a more unified Europe, and the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a USE.
What is the structure of this text?
The text includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It is structured to provide a balanced overview of the debate surrounding a more unified Europe.
What does the text say about the EU's current situation?
The text analyzes the EU's current state, considering whether it is more "sovereign" or "united," and explores the various perspectives on further integration.
How does the text discuss the perspectives of the EU treaties (TEU and TFEU) and the German constitution (GG)?
The text examines how the TEU, TFEU, and the German Basic Law (GG) view the concept of a "united Europe," providing insights into their different perspectives on European integration.
What are the arguments for and against establishing a "United States of Europe"?
The text presents both the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a USE, offering a balanced discussion of the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a significant political development.
What is the significance of Brexit in this context?
Brexit is mentioned as a catalyst for prompting reflection on the future of European unification and the potential for a "United States of Europe."
What are the key characteristics of the EU highlighted in the text?
The text describes the EU as an association of states with its own competencies and resources, combining supranational integration, intergovernmental cooperation, and international cooperation. It emphasizes the EU's foundation in liberal-democratic values, including democracy, human rights, and social justice.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: European Union (EU), United States of Europe (USE), European integration, supranationalism, intergovernmental cooperation, TEU, TFEU, German Basic Law (GG), federal state, Brexit, European unification, advantages, disadvantages.
What is the overall purpose of this text?
The overall purpose is to provide a structured and professional analysis of the arguments surrounding the creation of a "United States of Europe," offering a balanced and comprehensive overview of the topic for academic use.
- Quote paper
- Ibrahim Bekmezci (Author), 2021, Concepts for the United States of Europe (USE). What speaks for and against?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1007104
