European Integration - Issues and Implications

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European History and Culture Anvesh Lanka

European Integration Issues and Implications

The Process of Integration Ideas and Perspectives

Reference: * Rethinking European Integration in the new economic and political environment; Loukas Tsoukalis; 2006.

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The idea of European Integration isnt exactly as novel as it would seem, nor is it as simple as

one would like it to be. Though it appears to have its roots in the aftermath of the Second

World War, Integration is actually something that many political entities have tried to achieve

for centuries. Detailed Studies on Europe usually suggest that the concept of integration has

indeed existed, in different forms, for at least two millennia. Some of the first recorded

instances of European integration are observable in the political system of the Roman Empire,

reflective of the ideas of Leaders like Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus, who dealt with

integration in a holistic manner. From then on, most of the major political powers in Europe

existed in a civilizational polity that paved way for partial integration, using religion, royal

marriage, alliance or military power to secure their objectives. Emperors like Charlemagne

formed alliances with The Church and were successful in integrating a major part of Europe, on

the basis of religion. Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the first modern generals that tried to

secure an integrated Europe for better trade relations and in order to form a stronger nation.

On the other hand, many of the greatest thinkers in Europe propagated views on the reasons

and requirement for integration through literature and philosophy. And though this process has

continued for the most part of European History, it still has a long way to go. Integration of

Europe is nowhere near complete.

This distinction raises many questions, in terms of understanding why the

present process of integration [Formation of the EU and its functioning] is not as simple as one

would envision it to begin with. The fundamental issue, through the ages, was that the ideas on

integration were usually driven by the elites that controlled or ruled a territory. The masses had

little or no say in the process and that has in turn affected the way people have come to

understand it. It is true that whenever it was driven by economic or resource gain, integration

has been mutually accepted by most of the involved parties. However this could also be a

reason for uneven integration, as it is purely a benefit dependant system that tends to change

with time.


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For integration to occur evenly, one would need an ideal system that combines economic and

political integration through shared cultural and social values. In this case, Europeanization

should precede integration. Economic integration is a simple process but when the idea of

political integration comes in, the whole process gets complicated. It is only by establishing a

common European identity, without the alienation of nationalistic and sentimental values that

one can hope to achieve political integration. This is often a difficult and time taking process as

it needs to account for a myriad of factors that decide the kind of effect that integrative action

would have.[Europeanization; Anvesh Lanka; 2010]

While contemplating all this, one must understand that present day European

integration is based on the democratic political system and the principle of free association.

This remains the biggest advantage and disadvantage for the process. Conflict and consensus

arise out of this, and are important factors in understanding and achieving integration. It is very

difficult to satisfy all the sections of a population and is a confusing process. In response to this,

political parties have responded by taking credit for successful projects in a nationalistic way

and relegating the blame to the Union in the case of unsuccessful ideas and ventures. This leads

to further confusion in the masses and they will begin to respond in a counterintuitive manner.

Another major factor is that the benefits of integration are usually not very

tangible and are applicable only in the long run. Trust and dependability are key factors for any

integration process, especially when the countries involved have had a history of fighting each

other, with a few nations being dominant and the others being forced to submit to the

dominant group. Whereas one would be content to receive the economic benefits that result

from being in a union, it may not be the same case when it involves political integration and

governance by a supranational power. The dominance of Western Europe in most fields, and its

differences from and treatment of the Eastern European culture, creates a rift in the integration

process. All these factors could, in one way or the other, be responsible for the uneven

integration observed in the establishment of the European Union.


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Before Present day European integration can reach the heights that it is obviously destined for,

the political systems in power, in the national governments in Europe must adopt a policy that

aims to develop a coalition that is not only interdependent but also fair in its dealings. The

opinion of the masses is critical for the success of the EU. Firstly, the masses need to

understand exactly how the integration process would benefit them all. The local governments

need to include the masses in the integration process by means of referenda and national polls.

Also, the EU would have to define its powers in clear terms. Regulatory bodies world have to be

setup in order to ensure that the Union behaves in a manner that is beneficial to the coalition

on a whole. Integration needs to be better defined in the context of what it would mean to the

Eastern European nations, especially in the long run. This would result in the formation of a

union that preserves culture by means of unity in diversity and works as a whole to benefit all

its member states.

It is my opinion that the EU would need to have an organized structure that

integrates on the basis of similarities and shared values, and strives to preserve integrity and

nationalistic fervor. They could have a system where the nationalist bodies account for the

major activities of a nation as is the usual manner, and the EU could direct the actions of these

bodies only when the activities of a nation have an effect on the other nations in this

supranational entity, or in situations of emergency.

Though the European Union integration process has achieved considerable

success, it is true that there is still the need to define and clarify a number of issues that could

prove to be very important to the integration process on a whole. In the end, it is all about

creating Pax Europa and an environment that is both peaceful and prosperous, and mutually

beneficial to all the involved parties.

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European Integration - Issues and Implications