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The European Union (EU) is a transnational political and economic union of 27 member states. There are around 447 million people living in the union's 4,233,255.3 hectares (1,634,469.0 sq mi) of land. The European Union (EU) has been called a sui generis (first-of-its-kind) political body since it combines features of a federation and a confederation.

The European Union (EU) had 5.8% of the worldwide population in 2020 and produced nearly US$17.1 trillion in nominal GDP that year, or almost 18% of global nominal GDP.

UNDP data also shows that across the board, EU member states excel in terms of human development. The Customs Union served as its foundation, allowing for the creation of a unified internal market governed by a uniform set of laws and regulations that are binding on all member states in all subjects for which the states have committed to cooperating. To this end, the European Union (EU) pursues common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries, and regional development; enacts laws in justice and home affairs; and safeguards the free flow of people, products, services, and money inside the internal market. Within the Schengen Area, passport restrictions are no longer necessary. Members of the European Union (EU) that have adopted the euro as their currency and are so considered to be part of the eurozone. The Union's involvement in foreign relations and defense has grown thanks to the Common Foreign and Security Policy. There are embassies in every country and representatives in international organizations like the UN, WTO, G7, and G20. Some academics have begun to refer to the European Union as a "rising superpower" because of the impact it is having throughout the world.

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After WWI, but especially after WWII, internationalism gained traction with the establishment of the Bretton Woods System in 1944, the United Nations in 1945, and the French Union (1946–1958), which oversaw decolonization by perhaps incorporating its colonies into a European community. As such, European unity was considered as a remedy to the radical nationalism that had ravaged sections of the continent even before the war.

The Italian Resistance and, beginning in 1943, the European Federalist Movement spread Altiero Spinelli's Ventotene prison Manifesto, which advocated European union. In 1943, Winston Churchill advocated for a postwar "Council of Europe," and in 1946, he advocated for a United States of Europe at the University of Zürich, which happened to coincide with the Hertenstein Congress of the Union of European Federalists. [28] The European Parliamentary Union was created in June 1947 by Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, who earlier in the twentieth century had established the Paneuropean Union, the oldest organization seeking European integration (EPU).

The ideas to form cooperative institutions were addressed during the Tehran Conference and the subsequent 1943 Moscow Conference, both of which took place as World War II was coming to a close. After the German capitulation and the Potsdam Agreement in 1945, the Allied Control Council and the Council of Foreign Ministers took over from the European Advisory Commission, which had been established during the Yalta Conference in 1944.

Due to the sham 1947 Polish parliamentary election, which was an outright violation of the Yalta Agreement, and the subsequent 12 March 1947 proclamation of the Truman Doctrine, tensions between the Four Powers began to rise. On March 4, 1947, following World War II, France and the United Kingdom signed the Treaty of Dunkirk, committing to aid one another militarily if either was ever attacked again. According to official accounts, the pact was motivated by concern of an impending military assault, namely a Soviet one in reality but publicized under the pretext of a German one. After the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia staged a coup d'état in February 1948, the Allied Control Council was rendered ineffective as a consequence of the Soviet Union's boycott of the London Six-Power Conference. This marked the beginning of the Cold War. In the remaining months of 1948, contemporary European integration became formally institutionalized.
Its modern institutional history begins with the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty in 1993 and the incorporation of the European Union as a juridical person under international law with the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009. However, the union's origins can be traced back to its forerunners, which were primarily incorporated by a group of founding states known as the Inner Six (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany). By virtue of the aforementioned treaties, as well as numerous others, such as the Modified Brussels Treaty, the Merger Treaty, the Single European Act, the Treaty of Amsterdam, and the Treaty on European Union, these increasingly merged bodies, later collectively known as the European Communities, have grown since, along with their legal successor, the EU, both in size and power. The European Union (EU) received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.

Denmark (including Greenland), Ireland, and the United Kingdom joined the communities in 1973.

At the same time, Norway had been in talks to join, but a referendum put the issue to a vote. As a result of Ostpolitik and the accompanying détente, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), the forerunner of today's Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, was formed (OSCE). The European Parliament had its first direct elections in 1979. [39] Greece officially joined in 1981. After a disagreement over fishing rights, Greenland officially withdrew from the Communities in 1985. The Schengen Agreement, signed the same year, cleared the path for open borders without passport controls between most member nations and certain non-member states. [40] The Single European Act and the adoption of the European flag both occurred in 1986. In 1986, Portugal and Spain became members. As a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc in 1990, the people of what had been East Germany were able to rejoin their former countrymen in their new, undivided Germany.

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The term "regionalism" refers to the manifestation of a common identity and goal among transnational actors. It incorporates the formation and establishment of institutions that make clear regional identity and mold regional behavior. There is a plethora of regional organizations to choose from, each with its own unique degree of integration. When bigger geographical regions, or even continents, form political organizations via integrated international institutions, this is known as regionalism. The potential for multi-national collaboration might be fostered by such an arrangement. Economic globalization has had a significant influence on the creation of regional blocs. As international boundaries have loosened, governments have sought closer cooperation to manage the challenges posed by increased interdependence. Regional free trade agreements, on the other hand, may work counterproductively, slowing down or even reversing globalization.

Regionalism may be motivated by economic, security, or political concerns. Forerunner to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Community (EEC) is a classic case of economic regionalism. The European Economic Community was founded on the premise that it would promote prosperity throughout Europe. The organization's early economic success attracted neighboring nations, and they began applying for membership. For instance, the greater economic success of the EEC drew the United Kingdom into the European project.

When the European Union was established in 1993, it became a symbol of regionalism. Due to the Maastricht Treaty, the European Union has three distinct tenets. The European Union, the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and international law enforcement cooperation formed these cornerstones. This was dropped in 2009, when the Treaty of Lisbon gave the European Union formal status as a political entity. Alternatively, NATO is an alliance based only on safety reasons. Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty provides the primary basis for NATO by stating that any assault on one member is considered an attack on all members. Through a unified foreign and security policy, the European Union has also worked to strengthen the security of its member states. The European Union (EU) places a premium on soft power, which it exercises via diplomatic presence, aid to developing countries, and other forms of development assistance.

Both internal and external variables influence the likelihood of political regionalism and regional government. The former refers to elements inherent to the area. However, external forces refer to happenings outside the local area (such as the 2007–08 Global Financial Crisis). Some regions of the globe may be subject to much stronger internal influences that determine regional government than others. The destruction of World War II, for instance, surely sparked the first steps towards European unification. Furthermore, the effect of external influences may be noticeably amplified in one region of the globe compared to others.

It may be helpful to examine the problem on a regional level in order to determine the potential for regional governance and political regionalism. By doing so, the potential for governmental and political cohesion may be highlighted. There doesn't seem to be much hope for further integration inside the European Union. The European Union was unable to successfully adopt a convergence criteria because of internal and external factors. The 2016 Brexit vote in the United Kingdom has repercussions across the European Union. Increasing regional control is unlikely, given the widespread Euroskepticism that

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The development of European integration may be traced back to a number of identified causes. The relative importance of these elements has changed throughout time, but the economy and politics have always been there. European integration was seen from the inception as a means to achieve concrete economic gains and avert intracontinental strife.

After the devastation of World War II, many nations on the European continent looked for a fresh start on the road to peace and stability. During those seventy years, France and Germany fought three great wars. It was decided that a supranational agency would be in charge of the military industrial complex in an effort to end perpetual war. If this were to happen, it would be impossible to build a weapon of mass destruction. The ECSC was successful and prepared the path for further European Union (EU) integration in the coal and steel industries. The European Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), a unified market for nuclear materials and technology, were both founded before the decade's conclusion.

Economically speaking, the first six European Community members wanted to enhance trade relations by lowering trade obstacles. As a consequence of trade liberalization, the economies of France, Germany, Italy, and the BENELUX nations all grew rapidly. It's not an exaggeration to argue that the promise of financial gains was a major factor in convincing the nations comprising the second expansion (including the UK) to join. It was in the 1980s and 1990s that the member nations agreed upon a blueprint for economic and monetary unification. The Eurozone was created, and its member nations' monetary policy is standardized by the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt. The Euro is a significant currency traded on international financial markets and is used by the 19 European Union member nations that make up the Eurozone. It is astonishing how deeply the economic sphere has been integrated given the longstanding practice of state sovereignty over a crucial region.

A pattern of collaboration among the member states has played a significant role in the integration process, complementing political and economic considerations. Countries that used to be at odds with one another have put their differences aside to work together on a European initiative that is reshaping ties between nations in Europe. The European Union's member states emerged from the ashes of the worst armed war in human history to create a true peace zone. Europe's unification effort has become a major player on the international scene. Some EU organizations are supranational, like the European Central Bank, while others are intergovernmental, like the European Council. Both sorts of institutions exist because of the ongoing discussion between supranational and intergovernmental strategies.

The contrast between supranational and intergovernmental institutions is the starting point for any attempt to grasp the EU's numerous institutions. Simply said, supranational entities are organizations that have more authority than individual nations. However, the sovereignty of a state is safeguarded inside an international organization. While the former stresses the need of consensus and the safeguarding of national interests, the latter tends to urge forward the establishment of a federal Europe.

Another important realization is that the different institutions are analogous to the three arms of government. The European Commission is the EU's executive body, with members appointed by each member country. Its duties include carrying out the EU's will, maintaining the organization's treaties, and overseeing its bureaucratic operations. The Commission acts much like a cabinet government, complete with legislative proposals. The civil officials in Brussels, the de facto capital, are collectively referred to as the "Commission," much as in other executive agencies. Directors-General are the departments they are employed by.

The interpretation of EU legislation by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ensures uniform application of the law throughout all 27 member states. The CJEU may be asked to weigh in on pending cases at the request of national courts seeking guidance on how to interpret current legislation. It is the job of this supranational authority to rule on legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions. If a dispute involves EU legislation, it may be brought before the court by individuals, businesses, or other organizations. When a violation of the law has occurred, the legal system steps in to ensure justice is served. Finally, if any EU legislation violates international agreements or people's basic freedoms, the CJEU may nullify such law. Some people mistakenly believe that the European Court of Human Rights is the CJEU (ECtHR). It is important to keep in mind that the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is not an EU entity, but rather an appendage of "The Council of Europe," the organization established in the wake of World War II to protect human rights throughout Europe.

The European Council is the EU's highest intergovernmental authority. The European Council's prime ministerial membership makes it an ideal forum for discussing ambitious initiatives. To provide just one example, the Council level saw extensive discussions on the nitty-gritty details of EU expansion in the 2000s. The European Council sets the organization's broad course and goals as a whole. Although it lacks the authority to enact laws, it does serve as a venue for conducting long-term strategic planning. Except as expressly provided for in existing treaties, decisions made at EU summits are made via consensus.

The European Unity's (EU's) economic and monetary union (EMU) is a significant accomplishment. The European Monetary Union (EMU) has been constructed in phases to mirror the gradual pace of European unification. The most recent development is the establishment of a unified currency zone called the Eurozone. Convergence conditions must be met by participating nations before they may join. All EU nations except Denmark must meet the convergence requirements in order to join the eurozone.

Europe's unification drive reaped real economic rewards for its members in the 1950s and 1960s. Within and among the initial six members, the economy flourished throughout this time. It seemed like the founders of the European project were offering a realistic route that would result in real economic gains. However, Eurozone performance has been more inconsistent. This is due to a number of factors, not the least of which being an international economic slump that was beyond the EU's control. However, unreachable goals contribute to the company's lack of cooperation. It was only after adding the shadow economy in the official statistics that the Mediterranean PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain) were accepted into the Eurozone despite their poor economic performance. The events in Greece during the 2008 financial catastrophe are a case in point for the consequences that high levels of public sector debt have had on these economies, including bailouts paid by more efficient economies and considerable political upheaval among countries afflicted by the sovereign debt crisis.

Given its prominence, the European Union (EU) is an interesting case study in international politics. The EU and its agency have been called sui generis, meaning that any evaluation of them must take their unique features into account. A direct comparison with big nations in terms of political and military dominance, for instance, would be useless. Due to its unique structure, the EU is constrained in ways that individual countries are not. Despite this, the EU has significant sway in international affairs because to its soft power potential in the economic and diplomatic spheres.

Over the course of its growth, the EU has helped promote democratic ideals and human rights protections. This has been accomplished by persuading formerly autocratic nations to join the organization and, by doing so, embrace the standards and requirements of membership, which in turn have helped to change these societies from closed and authoritarian into open and democratic. Historically, dictatorships have been a hallmark of several of the member nations in Southern and Eastern Europe. Upholding the liberal democratic peace thesis, the EU has also promoted liberal ideals such as the rule of law and free, fair, and frequent elections.

The European External Action Service acts as the EU's diplomatic service, with embassies and other offices located all over the globe. With a seat at the G20 and the WTO, the EU has a voice at the highest levels of global governance. An observer at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations General Assembly, and the Group of Seven summits. The European Union has signed fifty free trade agreements and collaborates with other nations and regional organisations based on shared interests. The organization's humanitarian aid is second only to the United States'. Given that it was formed amid the ruins of war, it's fitting that the European Union was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. It is a testament to the EU's success as a political organization that other regional organizations are looking to adopt a structure similar to the EU's (most notably the African Union and ASEAN).

As the European Union (EU) has grown in size, so too has its ability to effect political change. To join the European Union may be to create a buffer of peace on a continent otherwise plagued by war. The growth of the organization from six to twenty-seven members, encompassing little less than 4.5 million square kilometers and home to the third biggest population in the world, might be considered its greatest important political success. This has increased the number of states asking to join the Union. As of this writing, five nations have been recognized as candidates: Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Albania. It's important to remember that some of these candidates lived through war and ethnic cleansing as recently as the 1990s. In terms of regional finance, global stature, and access to the single market, EU membership remains an enticing draw.

The European Union (EU) is undeniably a major player in international economic issues. The European Union (EU) has a population of almost 450 million, making it the world's second-largest economy in terms of its percentage of global GDP. In and of itself, this gives the EU the ability to use its economic might to affect events. To some extent, this is to be anticipated, considering the project's origins as mainly an economic union. Countries wanted to join the single market once it proven to be economically beneficial to do so. Through the process of monetary and economic unification, Europe now has its own independent market that functions like any national economy. The single currency is second only to the US dollar in terms of global reserve currency size and volume of commerce. The Schengen Agreement provides for almost unfettered free movement of labor, and progress toward adopting the four freedoms makes moving abroad for employment much simpler.

However, since the sovereign debt crisis of the late 1990s, the path toward economic and monetary unity has been hampered by significant challenges. One may argue that the disparity between Northern Europe's advanced economies like Germany's and Southern Europe's less efficient economies was bound to cause tension. The EU's institutions ducked the question of convergence, creating problems that were partly their own. The organization's fiscal problems have only been partly resolved despite attempts to do so (such as debt restructuring). Different amounts of public debt inside the EU, for instance, provide a significant obstacle. Those in favor of greater economic and monetary integration may have prioritized rhetoric over facts.

The European Union has created a sophisticated and novel structure for governing its member states. Because of this, the organization has been able to take decisive action and push the integration process ahead. European integration has led to significant improvement, at least in absolute terms. The European Union has unified more than thirty policy sectors, including fisheries, agriculture, and more. There can be no dispute about the political significance of the EU's laws, court rulings, and directives made by EU institutions (together referred to as the "Acquis Communautaire").