Thread: Effects of the EU expansion

Would you say that the expansion of the EU,specifically 2004 to present, has strengthened or weakened the EU and how so?

On the whole it has probably strengthened the EU. The introduction of over 100 million people over the last 4 years into the union has provided huge new sources of labour, production and economic growth for the community. As the nations of the former Eastern Bloc develop they will push up the continent's economic performance as a whole partially offsetting weakness in the West, while providing significant numbers of valuable migrant labours as well as a new source of business growth and investment. Politically the expansion has reinforced democratic institutions in these new member states and all seem to be on a relatively clear path of liberalization, something that was rather doubtful only 10 years ago and is of vital importance if peace and cooperation are to continue throughout Europe. Culturally the union's expansion has brought Europe closer together, as well as promoted greater cultural interaction, international cooperation as well as geographic mobility which on the whole is also a good thing.

Despite the important successes of expansion I think the process was a bit too rapid for some. Further integration as well as expansion into the poorest nations of Eastern Europe might meet greater opposition in the more established founding nations of the EU.

I agree with Colin....in the short term I would think any new admission might temporarily weaken the EU but once the new countries close the economic gap it will become stronger, one step back three steps forward....Russia is already being discussed as a future member....what will the EU be in 50 yrs? a unified economic and political entity from the Atlantic to the Pacific? a Super power like no other.....

Largely agreed, but what was obvious and simple for 6 or even for 10, becomes extremely difficult for 25, and practically impossible if the number of states increases. The EU has the biggest internal market, and the most comprehensive bureacratic regime in the world, that's true, but large internal market is of assistance only if it can provide for all actual needs of participating consumers and EU can't for the moment (for instance, energy needs). As for the bureacratic structure it's also the greatest liability of the EU, when fast adaptive changes are needed, extended bureaucracy is the last thing which you need.

Originally Posted by Tatyana

Largely agreed, but what was obvious and simple for 6 or even for 10, becomes extremely difficult for 25, and practically impossible if the number of states increases. The EU has the biggest internal market, and the most comprehensive bureacratic regime in the world, that's true, but large internal market is of assistance only if it can provide for all actual needs of participating consumers and EU can't for the moment (for instance, energy needs). As for the bureacratic structure it's also the greatest liability of the EU, when fast adaptive changes are needed, extended bureaucracy is the last thing which you need.

The internal market doesn't need to provide for all needs by itself - Europe can still trade with the outside world - it's not as if the common market only starting importing energy in 2004; we've been reliant on Russian gas imports for longer than that.

As for speeding up the bureaucracy - that's supposed to be the point of the Reform Treaty - less commissioners, more stream-lined decision making. The problem with that is that people feel more power is being taken away from them. I think what's needed is some very public and effective reform to give more power to the Parliament - if people can see they do have influence over what happens at the European level, it may do something to offset the resentment many feel towards Brussels.

We also need the old member states to open their economies to workers from the new ones. Absorbing that many new workers would be easy for the old EU-15 as a whole; but there are logistical problems involved as long as most workers can only go to the UK, Ireland or Sweden (I may have missed a country there). And it should also be made illegal for French, Dutch and German people to make snide comments about the UK not being a proper member of the EU and holding everyone else back until they have caught up and fulfilled these very basic principles of the Union and the common market.

Originally Posted by Tatyana

Largely agreed, but what was obvious and simple for 6 or even for 10, becomes extremely difficult for 25, and practically impossible if the number of states increases. The EU has the biggest internal market, and the most comprehensive bureacratic regime in the world, that's true, but large internal market is of assistance only if it can provide for all actual needs of participating consumers and EU can't for the moment (for instance, energy needs). As for the bureacratic structure it's also the greatest liability of the EU, when fast adaptive changes are needed, extended bureaucracy is the last thing which you need.

what country doesn't have a bureaucracy? it's a necessary evil...no doubt the EU will have it's growing pains but after several decades of integration the need for the extra bureaucracy will lessen as nationalistic and linguistic divisions disappear.....

Originally Posted by caffeine

And it should also be made illegal for French, Dutch and German people to make snide comments about the UK not being a proper member of the EU

Pfff
Brits never took any risk for the european unification. They joined only when it became obvious to them it would be better for their economy than the commonwealth, and they'll do the same for the Euro currency. They just complain and slow down things, so attached to their sovereignity.

Originally Posted by Kyryahn

Pfff
Brits never took any risk for the european unification. They joined only when it became obvious to them it would be better for their economy than the commonwealth, and they'll do the same for the Euro currency. They just complain and slow down things, so attached to their sovereignity.

LOL! Watch it, or I will be forced to comment upon Agincourt, Waterloo, Trafalgar and the Battle of the Nile.

Originally Posted by Kyryahn

Pfff
Brits never took any risk for the european unification. They joined only when it became obvious to them it would be better for their economy than the commonwealth, and they'll do the same for the Euro currency. They just complain and slow down things, so attached to their sovereignity.

How is the UK slowing things down? The basic principles of the European Union are the free movemend of people, goods, services and capital. All workers should be treated equally everywhere in the EU, regardless of country of origin. The UK does this, with the exception of Romanians and Bulgarians. France and Germany refused to completely open their markets to the new members in 2004 and still haven't. Just because the Continental countries are better at the symbolism of union (look! we've got a flag and an anthem!), it doesn't mean they're the leaders in the practical side of things. While France and Germany still protect their domestic energy markets, French, German and Spanish companies supply Downing Street and Parliament with energy and water, because the UK deregulated to European competition.

And you can't blame the UK for not joining the common market any earlier - France vetoed the first two attempts to join. And besides, what exactly is wrong with joining because it would be to our benefit? I'd be unhappy with a government which joined up for the EEC if they'd thought it would damage our economy.

I'm not trying to claim the UK is some trailblazer of unification; I'm just sick of the condescending nonsense you hear from France and Germany; that they're great heroes unifying the continent while the UK is just a complaining child knocking over the furniture. And why is it just the UK that gets singled out? Denmark doesn't have the Euro, and they opted-out of making it compulsory; they also don't accept European legislation on home affairs and justice as binding. The notion of the UK as Europe's problem child is based around folklore and stereotypes (and our loudly Eurosceptic media); not realistic appraisals of policy.

Whenwill USA and EU help Belarus to join other European nations??