The European Union
Why do some people believe countries benefit from being a member of the European Union (EU)?
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A single market - this means no quotas or tariffs
- a quota is a limit on the number of goods that are imported into a country
- a tarriff is an extra tax put on imports that makes goods from other countries more expensive
- Harmonisation of laws e.g. safety labelling
- Freedom of movement within the EU - citizens are free to travel between EU countries
- Freedom of employment - citizens are entitled to work in any other EU country
- The EU is a powerful economic alliance and has a greater global influence than countries than countries acting independently
- The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) looks after farmers by, for example, giving them guaranteed prices for their produce. It has also helped EU consumers by ensuring a good supply of food at a reasonable price.
- A single currency - most EU countries (not the UK) have joined up to a single currency (the Euro - € ) which makes trading between countries easier
- The EU provides aid to poorer areas with higher unemployment. These areas get help with their environment, employment and infrastructure
Why do some people believe the EU brings disadvantages to its member's countries?
- Loss of autonomy - countries no longer have total control over their laws and economic policy
- The CAP is expensive and only benefits countries with a lot of people in farming. The CAP has also meant large food surpluses that has to be stored or given away
- Inefficiency and corruption. There have been examples of money being wasted in the complicated beaurocracy that makes up the EU
How does the EU meet the economic needs of Scotland?
- Regional aid e.g. the Highlands and Islands of Scotland have benefited from EU money a lot in recent years. Areas with above average unemployment also receive aid e.g. former coal mining areas
- Employment opportunities. Scottish people can work in any EU country
- Education opportunities. Scottish people can to be educated in any EU country
How does aid to the regions affect the countries of the EU?
- Areas in the Eu with lower than average income are eligable for EU aid, which is known as "Structural Funds"
- Along with local and regional governments, the EU co-funds development projects, such as community learning centres
- Regional aid aims to increase employment and raise the standard of living
How does the Euro affect the European Union?
As of 1st january, 2008 the following countries use the Euro - that is they are in the "Eurozone"
- Finland
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Germany
- France
- Republic of Ireland
- Italy
- Austria
- Greece
- Spain
- Portugal
- Malta
- Cyprus
Some people are in favour of the Euro, and beleive Britain should join, because
- Holiday makers will not need to change currency when they visit other "Eurozone" countries
- It would be easier to trade with other countries who also use the Euro
- Foreign companies will be more likely to invest in Britain when it has a common currency
Some people are against the Euro, and beleive Britain should keep the Pound, because
- Britain would loose its independence, e.g. not being able to make its own decisions on interest rates
- The British economy would be weakend by having to join with other countries
- It would be very difficult to stop using the Euro if Britain joined the Eurozone
What are the arguments for and against the expansion of the EU
In 2002 the EU consisted of 15 countries. In 2004 10 other mainly eastern European countries joined. These were Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus. More recently Romania and Bulgaria have joined.
| For Expansion | Against Expansion |
The new countries provide an even bigger market
It makes for a safer Europe with more countries being members of the same alliance
The former communist countries will clearly belong in the tradition of western democracy and capitalism. They have to sign up up to economic standards and human rights rules
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Cheap workers from eastern Europe will flood western job markets
It will be harder to control asylum seekers
The countries that wish to join are mainly poorer will receive money from the existing EU
It further increases the beaurocracy
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