Advanced Placement

Comparative Government

The EUROPEAN UNION

"My vision of Europe is not one where European institutions promote unity and Member States defend diversity. A real partnership is where European Institutions respect diversity and national governments promote unity."

-European Commission  President Jose Durao Barroso 

Contents

Other Links for the EU

Europa

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  
   
   

 

Questions and Concepts:

  • What is the source of legitimacy of the European Union?

  • What are the common problems facing European nations today? 

  • Trace the origins and development of the European Union from its post-World War II origins to the present

  • What are the three pillars of the EU and what are the controversies surrounding them?

  • What is the importance of democracy, transparency, participation, common values, and identification in the political culture of the EU?

  • What are the elements of the European Union's regime?

  • How does qualified majority voting work and how is it a reflection of political values in member countries?

  • Explain and identify examples of deepening and broadening.

  • Evaluate the importance of the common agricultural policy, monetary union, and political union for the future of the EU.
Vocabulary:
Democratic deficit Deepening Jose Durao Barroso
Three pillars Paul-Henri Spaak Single European Act
Treaty of Amsterdam Treaty of Rome Qualified majority voting
Supranational OEEC OECD
Subsidiarity  Romano Prodi Jean Monnet
Unanimity principle Marshall Plan European Parliament
Maastricht Treaty FDP European Monetary Union
European Monetary System European Court of Justice European Communities
European Economic Community ERM EAGGF
European Coal and Steel Community Acquis communautaires Broadening
Euro Delors, Jacques Common Agricultural Policy
Euratom Common Foreign and Security Policy Committee of Permanent Representatives
European Commission Common Market Council of Ministers