European Union GapFill

The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 countries in Europe. It was founded in 1993 after the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty; however, its predecessor, the European Economic Community, was founded much earlier, in 1957, after the signing of the Treaty of Rome. The EU can create law and common policies that all member states must enforce. European legislation is passed through three key European institutions. The  European CommissionEuropean ParliamentEurozoneEuropean Court of Justice, acts as the executive and is comprised of a nominated commissioner from each member state. The  European CommissionEuropean Central BankEurozoneEuropean Parliament acts as the legislature, with its members elected every five years in continent-wide elections. In addition, the  European Central BankEuropean CommissionEurozoneEuropean Council is a group comprised of national leaders from all the member states. Finally, the  European Court of JusticeEuropean ParliamentEurozoneEuropean Central Bank acts as the judiciary, ensuring compliance with EU law among member states. The EU operates a single currency among 19 of its members, which is known as the  European Central BankEuropean ParliamentEurozoneEuropean Council.

One purpose of the EU is to guarantee  the four freedomsthe single currencyBrexitthe policy of expansion of the European Single Market to all European citizens. These are the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour. Another purpose is to amplify the voice of European nations on the international stage through  the single currencypooled sovereigntyBrexitthe four freedoms. This means that member states give up some control within their territories in order to gain more influence internationally and secure more favourable arrangements on issues such as trade.

The EU is considered by some to have become an economic and political superpower that is capable of competing on the world stage with countries such as the United States and China. However, it has also demonstrated weaknesses over the last two decades. One has been its  Brexitfour freedomspolicy of expansionsingle currency, which is often regarded as having been implemented too quickly and without sufficient preparation. Between 2004 and 2007, 12 member states in Eastern Europe joined the bloc; however, many have since struggled to integrate themselves into European institutions, while large amounts of immigration from the new member states have undermined consent for the EU in parts of Western Europe, such as in the UK, where it is regarded as having contributed to  Brexitthe single currencythe policy of expansionthe four freedoms.

Another weakness of the EU has been its tendency to display widespread  single currencydisunitypolicy of expansionfour freedoms during moments of crisis. The 2009-2014 Eurozone financial crisis, 2015 migration crisis and 2020 pandemic crisis have all seen the EU fail to work collaboratively and instead revert to pursuing national interests. Furthermore, in all three crises there have been shown to be significant political and economic divides between the wealthier Northern nations such as Germany, France and the Netherlands and poorer Southern nations such as Spain, Italy and Greece.