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Britain and Europe. A Supra-national State. Lesson Objective. By the end of this session you will understand how Europe has affected British Politics since 1945 You will also find out the viewpoints of the different parties to European integration. Task. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Britain and EuropeBritain and Europe
A Supra-national StateA Supra-national State
Lesson ObjectiveLesson Objective
By the end of this session you will By the end of this session you will understand how Europe has affected British understand how Europe has affected British Politics since 1945 Politics since 1945
You will also find out the viewpoints of the You will also find out the viewpoints of the different parties to European integration.different parties to European integration.
TaskTask
What was Britain’s position after 1945?What was Britain’s position after 1945? Where did Britain’s interests lie?Where did Britain’s interests lie? What is the view on European integration, What is the view on European integration,
offered byoffered by– The Conservative party?The Conservative party?– The Labour Party?The Labour Party?– The Liberal Democratic party?The Liberal Democratic party?
Traditional ViewTraditional View
Britain has had three spheres of influenceBritain has had three spheres of influence– Her Empire and latterly the Commonwealth, the USA Her Empire and latterly the Commonwealth, the USA
and Europe and Europe Barriers to integration are related the geography Barriers to integration are related the geography
and historyand history Traditional rivalries have been based on Trade Traditional rivalries have been based on Trade
and Colonisationand Colonisation Britain has not been invaded since 1066 Britain has not been invaded since 1066 And Britain is an Island, with an island mentality And Britain is an Island, with an island mentality
attachedattached
19451945
Britain came out of the war as a World Britain came out of the war as a World power – Was this an illusion?power – Was this an illusion?
The big 3 (USA, Russia and Britain) had The big 3 (USA, Russia and Britain) had defeated Nazism and Great Britain’s defeated Nazism and Great Britain’s overseas Empire was retainedoverseas Empire was retained
Therefore the country had worldwide Therefore the country had worldwide economic and financial interestseconomic and financial interests
NO DEFEAT….NO OCCUPATION !!NO DEFEAT….NO OCCUPATION !!
Formation of the EECFormation of the EEC
Europe was founded by Jean Monnet and Robert Europe was founded by Jean Monnet and Robert SchumanSchuman
They argued that greater economic co-operation They argued that greater economic co-operation would lead to greater stability and the avoidance would lead to greater stability and the avoidance of another devastating Warof another devastating War
Treaty of Paris was signed in 1952, which formed Treaty of Paris was signed in 1952, which formed the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)
France, Germany, Italy and Benelux signed up the France, Germany, Italy and Benelux signed up the EEC in 1958EEC in 1958
Britain stayed out, forming the European Free Britain stayed out, forming the European Free Trade Area with Sweden, Denmark and NorwayTrade Area with Sweden, Denmark and Norway
Trouble with EmpireTrouble with Empire Oh dear it all went horribly wrongOh dear it all went horribly wrong The liquidation of Britain’s Empire – India independence The liquidation of Britain’s Empire – India independence
1947, Israel formed 1948, Suez Crisis 1958 etc.1947, Israel formed 1948, Suez Crisis 1958 etc. This led to an adverse balance of trade and deep economic This led to an adverse balance of trade and deep economic
troubles in Britaintroubles in Britain MacMillan (Cons) 1961 looked with jealousy at the EEC MacMillan (Cons) 1961 looked with jealousy at the EEC
and tried to join, blocked by De Gaulleand tried to join, blocked by De Gaulle Wilson tried in 1967, blocked by De GaulleWilson tried in 1967, blocked by De Gaulle Only when the ungrateful French git died in 1971, could Only when the ungrateful French git died in 1971, could
Britain be acceptedBritain be accepted Britain joine din 1973 (ratified by referendum in 1975), with Britain joine din 1973 (ratified by referendum in 1975), with
Republic of Ireland and DenmarkRepublic of Ireland and Denmark
Triumphal ProcessTriumphal Process Deepening integration/expansion Deepening integration/expansion Tension in enlargement and integration widening and Tension in enlargement and integration widening and
deepeningdeepening 1958 – Fr, Ger, It, Benelux1958 – Fr, Ger, It, Benelux 1973 – RoI, UK, Denmark1973 – RoI, UK, Denmark 1981 – Greece1981 – Greece 1986 – Single European Act – non tariff bars to trade1986 – Single European Act – non tariff bars to trade 1992 – Maastricht – EMU, Social Chapter1992 – Maastricht – EMU, Social Chapter 1995 – Austria, Finland and Sweden1995 – Austria, Finland and Sweden 2000 – Treaty of Paris – Formal start of single currency2000 – Treaty of Paris – Formal start of single currency 2005 – Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, 2005 – Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, SloveniaLithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia Set to join soon – Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Set to join soon – Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR Macedonia,
Romania, TurkeyRomania, Turkey
TaskTask
Why do you think that Turkey’s involvement Why do you think that Turkey’s involvement in the European Union is so controversial?in the European Union is so controversial?
How much pressure do you feel continual How much pressure do you feel continual expansion puts on the Union? Think of size expansion puts on the Union? Think of size of the Parliament and free access across of the Parliament and free access across EuropeEurope
Britain and Europe 1973-2006Britain and Europe 1973-2006
The Conversion has not been wholeheartedThe Conversion has not been wholehearted U.K joined too late to influence the direction of the U.K joined too late to influence the direction of the
UnionUnion There has been no benefit of the remarkably There has been no benefit of the remarkably
generous CAP (Common Agricultural Policy)generous CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) EEC saw growth rates rise, with improved EEC saw growth rates rise, with improved
Standards of LivingStandards of Living Whereas up to membership, standard of living in Whereas up to membership, standard of living in
the UK fell, with an energy crisis and a 3 –day the UK fell, with an energy crisis and a 3 –day weekweek
Political PartiesPolitical Parties
Liberals and Liberal Demcrats have been Liberals and Liberal Demcrats have been wholeheartedly in favourwholeheartedly in favour
The left wing of the Labour party saw Europe as a The left wing of the Labour party saw Europe as a rich mans capitalist club, underpinning the rich mans capitalist club, underpinning the aggressive NATO. By 1983, Michael Foot had aggressive NATO. By 1983, Michael Foot had pledged withdrawalpledged withdrawal
Conservatives initially saw membership as a Conservatives initially saw membership as a Conservative achievementConservative achievement
Thatcher obtained a rebate from the EUThatcher obtained a rebate from the EU She signed the Single European Act (1986)She signed the Single European Act (1986) Joined ERM in 1990 Joined ERM in 1990 But, by end of power, Thatcher’s opposition grewBut, by end of power, Thatcher’s opposition grew
Major Major
““My aim is for Britain to be at the very heart My aim is for Britain to be at the very heart of Europe, working with our partners of Europe, working with our partners building a better future”building a better future”
Maastricht – Major’s Government negotiated Maastricht – Major’s Government negotiated an opt out of the Social Chapter and EMUan opt out of the Social Chapter and EMU
Black Wednesday 1992 – Caused massive Black Wednesday 1992 – Caused massive economic problems and Britain’s withdrawal economic problems and Britain’s withdrawal from the ERMfrom the ERM
BlairBlair
A more positive approach to EuropeA more positive approach to Europe Government signed up to the Social ChapterGovernment signed up to the Social Chapter Brown was more cautious implementing 5 Brown was more cautious implementing 5
economic tests to monetary unioneconomic tests to monetary union 2001 – Labour won another landslide despite 2001 – Labour won another landslide despite
Cons “Save the Pound” campaignCons “Save the Pound” campaign After 9/11 Blair became more US centric and EU After 9/11 Blair became more US centric and EU
integration on the back burnerintegration on the back burner 50 years on Britain still seen as an awkward 50 years on Britain still seen as an awkward
partnerpartner
TaskTask
Can you think of 5 arguments for and 5 Can you think of 5 arguments for and 5 arguments against membership of the arguments against membership of the European Union?European Union?
Key TermsKey Terms
Intergovernmentalism – Where Intergovernmentalism – Where Governments meet on a regular basis to Governments meet on a regular basis to discuss common issuesdiscuss common issues
Subsidiarity – Where powers are only Subsidiarity – Where powers are only exercised by the Community if a member exercised by the Community if a member state cannot deal with it. Therefore state cannot deal with it. Therefore decisions ought to be taken at the lowest decisions ought to be taken at the lowest possible level – National Government, possible level – National Government, devolved assemblies or Local Councils devolved assemblies or Local Councils
Political Make-upPolitical Make-up
The European Union consists of:The European Union consists of: An Executive – European Commission (made up of An Executive – European Commission (made up of
commissioners nominated by member states)commissioners nominated by member states) A Legislative – European Parliament (elected every 4 years A Legislative – European Parliament (elected every 4 years
via the list system)via the list system) A Judiciary – European Court of Justice (each state A Judiciary – European Court of Justice (each state
nominates a judge for a 6 year period)nominates a judge for a 6 year period) A single currency, a central bank etc. A single currency, a central bank etc. Surely it is a Nation State in it’s own right?Surely it is a Nation State in it’s own right? Well the Council of Ministers remains which still requires Well the Council of Ministers remains which still requires
unanimity in most issues and made up of senior politicians unanimity in most issues and made up of senior politicians in member states – intergovernmentalismin member states – intergovernmentalism
A veto remains for some issues (Monetary Union), A veto remains for some issues (Monetary Union), otherwise QMV is the norm otherwise QMV is the norm
TaskTask
What problems can you envisage with the current What problems can you envisage with the current political make-up and enlargement policies?political make-up and enlargement policies?
Think about the how our magic triangle is Think about the how our magic triangle is affected!!affected!!
What also do you envisage to be the problem of What also do you envisage to be the problem of low turnouts in Euro elections?low turnouts in Euro elections?
25% voted in 200425% voted in 2004 Democratic Deficit – The weakness of democratic Democratic Deficit – The weakness of democratic
control and accountabilitycontrol and accountability
Impact on BritainImpact on Britain
Supremacy of EU law over UK lawSupremacy of EU law over UK law The British Government can help influence The British Government can help influence
EU lawEU law The Electoral System changed in 1999, The Electoral System changed in 1999,
moving to the list system moving to the list system The machinery of Government is less The machinery of Government is less
affected. There is no Sec. of State for affected. There is no Sec. of State for Europe, although there is little doubt British Europe, although there is little doubt British politics is affected. Thus the number of politics is affected. Thus the number of ministerial flights to Brusselsministerial flights to Brussels
Policy areasPolicy areas
Fiscal Policy – Introduction of VAT in 1975, plus Fiscal Policy – Introduction of VAT in 1975, plus constraints on tax and expeenditureconstraints on tax and expeenditure
Regulation – over 80% of rules governing Regulation – over 80% of rules governing production, distribution and exchange of goods are production, distribution and exchange of goods are decided by the EUdecided by the EU
Agriculture and fisheries – Spanish in our watersAgriculture and fisheries – Spanish in our waters Butter mountains and win lakes thanks to CAPButter mountains and win lakes thanks to CAP Social Policy – The Social ChapterSocial Policy – The Social Chapter Human Rights – ECHRHuman Rights – ECHR
Call me old fashioned but I’m a bit Call me old fashioned but I’m a bit nervous about the futurenervous about the future
The introduction of the Euro has been trouble freeThe introduction of the Euro has been trouble free Major institutional reform needed to balance the Major institutional reform needed to balance the
rich and poor regionsrich and poor regions EU policy towards the developing world will come EU policy towards the developing world will come
under scrutiny, especially continued agricultural under scrutiny, especially continued agricultural protection (Fair Trade??)protection (Fair Trade??)
Foreign and Defence policy? What about EU and Foreign and Defence policy? What about EU and USA priorities?USA priorities?
Nth Am FTA or EU the choice will need to be Nth Am FTA or EU the choice will need to be made. Isolation in a globalised world is not an made. Isolation in a globalised world is not an option option