The European Union’s roots can be found in the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1951 which created the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). This was an economic community between 6 European nations that emerged as a direct result of World War Two (WWII). It was created with the aim of facilitating economic recovery following the destruction of much infrastructure in European countries, but more importantly, to establish a level of economic interdependence between nations. This is because they were desperate to avoid future warfare of the same scale and destruction of WWII and thus sought to use the ESCS and its economic ties as an incentive to avoid hostility towards each other. The ECSC has since transformed gradually through multiple stages into the European Union (EU). Growing in both membership and in political power; it now has a wider agenda than purely economic affairs, for example legislating in political areas including setting VAT levels and environmental policies which all members must abide by.
The EU was created in a vastly different context where relations between European nations were far more volatile and thus the EU helped alleviate these tensions. 21st Century Europe provides a very different context to this however where relations are far less strained. For example the perpetual conflict between France and Germany spanning centuries has now ended. More generally, it seems the threat of a major conflict is negligible. This has led some people, within member countries, to question whether the European Union is still necessary. This debate has manifested itself most dramatically with the 2016 UK referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, where Britain voted to leave the EU. But was this right decision or does the EU still serve a purpose for its members?
Whilst a major conflict within Europe seems improbable, the EU has a place in today’s world for many reasons. Touching briefly on the economical; in an ever globalised world the EU provides a platform that bolsters the position of all its members in the global economy. Within the EU every member has access not only to free trade between members but also trade is facilitated through the EU’s agreements with other parts of the world, for example the EU-Japan trade agreement, which came into force in February 2019. The complexity of such trade agreements means that member countries would struggle to negotiate their own trade deals to similar standards on their own. Therefore as a member of the EU each member has more influence and is stronger in the world economy. Globalisation is only increasing meaning membership of the EU, from an economic perspective, will only become more important.
So whilst the EU may not be necessary as an institution for its original purpose to the same extent, it is more than relevant in serving its members facing modern day global economic challenges.
Alicia Carmichael
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