The economic benefits of the European Union have been indisputable. Economic integration, including “removing barriers to the free movement of goods, services, money and people,” has given Europe substantial growth (European Union website- www.europa.eu). As Judt puts it, even the “most ardent British Euroskeptics” have conceded to the real economic benefits of the EU (732). The relatively recent freedom to travel, work, or study anywhere in the EU has been a huge success.
In contrast, foreign and security policy is an area that is much less developed than economic policy. As mentioned in lecture, the coordination of foreign policy has been difficult. Because the EU is not a state, citizens are first and foremost concerned with their national security than with security policy of Europe as a whole. And rightly so- citizens are loyal to the country in which they live, whose taxes they pay, and whose language they speak. The EU has a harder time defining and enforcing its own security interests.
As Brendan said, only time can tell if Europeans will identify themselves first as Europeans. If the institution of the EU can help promote European unity beyond the fiscal realm, perhaps coordinated foreign and security policy is not far behind.
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2 comments:
I think it would be helpful here to distinguish between advancing foreign policy and security interests (see Judt, "Old Europe and New Europe"). In spite of not having a standing army -- or perhaps even because of it -- the EU has had to rely even more on "soft power" -- treaties, participation in international organizations, foreign aid, etc. -- that serve to distinguish it even more from the U.S. approach to international politics.
I totally agree with Pierre because EU's move has become more crucial in defining and reshaping its economic and unification interests rather than looking forward to become a dominant superpower. Since the most EU members receive an umbrella protection form the NATO privilege, I believe what EU is trying to do is strengthening its economies and achieving the effectiveness of institutional collaboration.
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