This text analyses why the Four European Freedoms are such important elements of the development of the EU.
In our daily life it seems to be normal that we can travel from one European Member State to another without any passport or custom control; that we can live, work, study and do business everywhere in the EU. In every Member State at least more than two-thirds and overall 81% support the related Freedom of "Free Movement of Persons". The Freedom of Movement of Persons is one of the "Four Freedoms" that are fundamental for the EU.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. The Reasons for establishing Free Trade
2. The Free Movement of Goods
2.1. The Scope of the Free Movement of Goods
2.2. The internal Dimension
2.3. The external Dimension
2.4. Conclusion
3. The Free Movement of Persons
3.1. The personal Scope
3.2. Free Movement of Workers
3.3. Freedom of Establishment
3.4. Conclusion
4. The Freedom to provide and receive Services
4.1. The Scope of the Freedom of Services
4.2. Conclusion
5. The Free Movement of Capital
5.1. The Scope of the Freedom of Capital
5.2. Conclusion
6. The Meta-Level of the Four Freedoms
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the foundational "Four Freedoms" of the European Common Market, exploring their legal scope, economic rationale, and their evolution into a broader framework for European integration and citizenship.
- The legal foundations of the four freedoms (goods, persons, services, capital).
- The rationale for free trade and comparative advantage in the EU context.
- Analysis of internal versus external dimensions of market movement.
- The historical transition from purely economic goals to general civil rights.
Excerpt from the book
2.2. The internal Dimension
As already stated, the internal dimension focus on the movements of goods between Member States and prohibits customs duties or other charges.8
While Articles 28 ff. and Article 110 TFEU prohibit fiscal discrimination of imports and exports, their trade is also prevented from imposing quantitative restrictions or other measures with equivalent effects. 9 10
The Article 36 TFEU gives limitation to the provisions made in Articles 34 and 35 in regard to “public morality, public policy or public security; the protection of health and life of humans, animals or plants; the protection of national treasures possessing artistic, historic or archaeological value; or the protection of industrial and commercial property.”11
In addition, the Member States were committed to abolish state monopolies to ensure the frictionless harmonization of the Single Market.12
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the significance of the Four Freedoms for the EU and explains the economic theory behind free trade.
2. The Free Movement of Goods: Details the internal and external regulations, including customs duties, quantitative restrictions, and the scope of goods within the Union.
3. The Free Movement of Persons: Discusses the rights of workers and self-employed individuals to move freely, including the personal scope and relevant legal limitations.
4. The Freedom to provide and receive Services: Analyzes the growing economic importance of services and defines the scope of service provision across borders.
5. The Free Movement of Capital: Explores the liberalization of capital markets and the necessity of capital mobility for a fully integrated monetary union.
6. The Meta-Level of the Four Freedoms: Examines how the initial economic liberalizations have contributed to a broader legal framework centered on European Citizenship and shared values.
Keywords
European Union, Common Market, Four Freedoms, Free Movement of Goods, Free Movement of Persons, Freedom of Services, Free Movement of Capital, TFEU, Internal Market, Comparative Advantage, European Citizenship, Economic Integration, Trade Liberalization, Custom Union, Harmonization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The paper focuses on the "Four Freedoms"—the free movement of goods, persons, services, and capital—which underpin the European Union's Common Market.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the legal frameworks provided by the TFEU, the economic rationale for trade, and the evolution of the EU toward a political community based on shared values.
What is the primary goal of this paper?
The goal is to provide a comprehensive legal and economic overview of the Four Freedoms and their influence on the development of the European Union.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The work employs a legal and economic analysis, relying on primary treaties (TFEU), EU case law, and economic theory regarding comparative advantage.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections detail the specific legal conditions and scope for each of the four freedoms, concluding with a discussion on their "meta-level" significance.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include European Union, Common Market, Four Freedoms, Internal Market, Trade Liberalization, and European Citizenship.
How does the author define the scope of the free movement of goods?
The author identifies three conditions: the product must be a good subject to commercial transaction, used in cross-border trade, and the involved person must be an addressee of the Treaties.
What shift in perspective occurred with the Treaty of Maastricht?
The Treaty shifted the perspective from purely economic activity to the status of "Citizen of the Union," emphasizing general freedoms over strictly economic ones.
Does the free movement of capital have geographical limits?
No, the territorial scale of capital movement is not limited to EU Member States; it also extends to third countries.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2020, The Four Freedoms of the European Common Market and their Meta-Level, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/995328
