EU (European Union) What is [ Europe as one ] Was launched with the concept.
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in a similar framework However, the EU is ahead in promoting the integration of markets, currencies, and politics.
The currency has been integrated into the euro, allowing freedom of movement of people, goods, capital and services within the EU.
In addition, the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission have been established to make decisions and enforce policies for the entire UE.
In other words, UE aims to overcome the national barrier and create a large federal nation called Europe.
So this time, EU [European Union] I would like to write about.
History up to the establishment of the EU (European Union)
Since the late 19th century, Germany and France have been in conflict.
In 1870, Prussia, who won the Franco-Prussian War, established the German Empire. At this time, Bismarck, who had absolute power in Germany, League of the Three Emperors with Austria and Russia. Triple Alliance with Austria and Italy We were trying to isolate France.
France confronted the Triple Entente with Russia and Britain, which had withdrawn from the League of the Three Emperors.
World War I was the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente Is attributed to the conflict.
As a result of World War I, Triple Entente [Allied] Germany was charged a large amount of compensation for the victory. The compensation will be a hindrance, and it will be another battle in World War II.
In World War II, the war was set up until the French capital, Paris, was temporarily defeated, but eventually it was defeated along with Japan and Italy.
As a result of these two wars, all that remains is the devastated European land and the decline in global status. The two countries, keenly aware that the conflict between France and Germany will not bring benefits to Europe as a whole, will realize the establishment of EC and EU.
EC established under the leadership of Germany and France
It was 1952 that the concept of an EU-like framework was realized in Europe. ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) was. This was a framework for managing coal and steel beyond the national framework.
ECSC includes France, West Germany, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg It started in 6 countries.
The Cold War had an impact on the establishment of the ECSC, and the United States positioned West Germany as a socialist breakwater and actively supported it. However, for Western countries, it is a power imbalance for Western Germany to overpower.
Therefore, France proposed and realized the establishment of ECSC in light of the fact that West Germany has abundant coal mines and the steel industry.
In 1958, the six ECSC member countries created a framework for EC, EEC (European Economic Community) . Will be established. Also, EURATOM (European Atomic Energy Community) Was launched at the same time.
And 1967 EC (European Community) by integrating the three frameworks into Was born.
EC was in 6 countries at the time of its inauguration, but 1973 The United Kingdom, Denmark, and Ireland will join the EU, and the EU will be launched in 12 countries, Greece, Portugal, and Spain.
EU (European Union) is established at the end of the Cold War
1989 In Eastern Europe, socialist nations democratized one after another, and the Berlin Wall collapsed in November.
Then, the following year, East and West Germany merged.
This integration created a sense of crisis that the once mighty Germany would be revived and Europe's power balance would be disrupted.
France will move to balance Europe by politically integrating EC and incorporating Germany into it.
The President of France [ should discuss market integration and political integration within the EC ] And said.
With Germany's support for this statement, the EU's vision has advanced at once.
However, even if it agrees on a country-by-country basis, it has been rejected once in the referendums of Denmark and France. In the second referendum, I was able to get approval, but it was a close margin.
In this way, from the beginning of the EU's establishment, there was a gap in consciousness between the political elite and the general public.
Significance of establishing UE
Once the federal state is created, the war between Europe that was fought in the two world wars in the past will disappear. Also, in Europe, where there are many small countries, trade negotiations with large countries such as the United States tend to be disadvantageous, and if the EU is organized, it will be easier to negotiate evenly.
1993 The EU, which was established in Japan, has since expanded to 28 countries.
However, such a framework also has a dark shadow with the passage of time.
Britain has announced that it will leave the EU, and other countries have begun to increase their seats with anti-EU political parties.
Why did the EU get stuck in this way? ??
EU countries suffering from immigration and refugee issues
Immigration and refugee issues are one of the reasons why the number of Brexit groups is increasing in the EU.
Many EU countries allow free movement within member countries [ Schengen Agreement ] Is tied.
As a result, there are many cases of migration from poor regions of Eastern Europe to Western countries in search of work. These immigrants are robbing the jobs of those who have lived for a long time in order to work at low wages. ] Is spreading.
In 2015, the intensification of the Syrian civil war led to a dramatic increase in refugees from the Middle East.
The number of asylum seekers in the EU this year was 1.3 million, double the previous year. With regard to the acceptance of refugees, countries such as Germany, which is active in accepting refugees, and Hungary, which is passive, have emerged, deepening the gap between these countries.
Terrorism occurred frequently in Paris and other parts of Europe during this period, which made the situation worse. The fact that many of the perpetrators of terrorism were second- and third-generation immigrants from Africa and elsewhere made it clear that the EU's immigration policy was not working well.
In addition, the Schengen Agreement was abused by terrorists as a result of the invasion of refugees from Syria among the perpetrators.
European economic crisis due to the euro crisis
Greece's large budget deficit in 2009 caused a plunge in Greek government bonds due to fears of default. As a result, the euro also plummeted.
The following year, an economic crisis broke out in Italy, Ireland and Spain.
To calm this economic crisis, the EU will provide Greece with a large amount of emergency assistance. However, on the other hand, imposing austerity policies on Greece has significantly reduced public services and forced the people to live a difficult life.
After the euro crisis, it was Germany's dominance that became prominent.
Germany, which had an economy based on exports like Japan, will have a great advantage in exporting if the euro weakens. On the other hand, in poor countries in Southern Europe such as Greece, imports have soared and the economy has become even tighter.
From the time of currency union, the EU should have integrated financial aspects as well. Currently, regarding monetary policy, [ European Central Bank ], And the interest rate exchange is the same.
However, with regard to public finance, budgeting and execution are entrusted to each country.
That created a serious gap between economically strong and weak countries.
This is the key, and there is a plan to integrate the finances, but there are no plans to realize it at this time.
European Constitution Constitution is also rejected in each country
Currently, the immigration problem is becoming more serious in the EU and the number of anti-EU factions is increasing, but even before this, [ make one Europe ] There was an event where it was difficult to find out.
In 2004 EU member states signed the European Constitution Treaty.
EU political actors are EU citizens and member states ] Was sung, and it had a good constitutional appearance.
However, the following year, when France voted to confirm the European Constitution, it was rejected by a large margin, and in the Dutch referendum, it was rejected by a difference of 20% or more, and the EU gave up the confirmation of the European Constitution.
What we can see from this result is that the people of each country rejected what the Constitution could do for the Commonwealth of Europe.
Many people in Europe did not seem to want the radical move to demolish the existing national framework and create a single Europe.