Should The European Union Continue Expansion?

Introduction

Karen A. Mingst in her book "Essentials of International Relations" gives a definition "European Union (EU) is a union of twenty-five European States, formerly the European Economic Community; designed originally during the 1950s for economic integration, but since expanded into a closer political and economic union."1 In 1951, the European Union initially called the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) formed as a pact between six countries (Belgium, West Germany, Luxembourg, France, Italy and the Netherlands), in order to obtain economic and political corporation. Originally concerned with coal and steel, the states hoped to ensure a serene outlook for Europe.2 The European Union has expanded to include a wide range of issues including the environment, transportation, and employment. Also, the importance of security and foreign affairs has increased over time.3

The European Union is growing rapidly, and many countries struggle to gain admittance. Furthermore, current member states do not want the European Union to cease to function partly due to the excessive amount of new states.4 Consequently, the expansion of this organization is currently a controversial issue facing many European

1 Mingst, Karen A. "Essentials of International Relations." 3rd Ed. 2004 by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. page 317

2"Euro-glossary: European Union" (BBC News Online, 30 April 2001), 1. Retrieved 5 April 2006.

3 "Euro-glossary: European Union", 1.

4 "EU expansion Ð''an economic boost'" (BBC News Online, 30 April 2004),1. Retrieved 5 April 2006.

countries. This research paper examines the positive and negative sides of the European Union's expansion. More I am talking about benefits and taking a side of saying "yes" to the expansion. By saying "yes" to the enlargement I am coming up with the solution about that controversial issue and how should it be done.

The Three Elements of the EU

The European Union established five key goals necessary for its lasting existence.5 Along with the five objectives, the European Union is also split into three different components. The first element, the European Community, deals with the single

market and the free will of travel across state borders. In the second element Common Foreign and Security Policy, the goal of states is to hold institutional positions and to be included in foreign security issues. Finally the branch of Justice and Home Affairs focuses on incorporating certain policies of member-states into one collective law.6

Benefits of the EU

The European Union set certain legal and economic criteria for admittance of new members including trade, the environment, and majority treatment.7 These qualifications must be strictly enforced for the expansion of Europe to challenge the United States as a superpower without compromising their domestic interests.8 Europe would benefit from

continued expansion because it would be under one currency. This would facilitate trade between all member states and the economies of exporting countries would flourish.

5 "Euro-glossary: European Union", 1.

6 "Euro-glossary: European Union", 2.

7Belt, Don. "Europe's Big Gamble." National Geographic May 2004 pp.54-65. SIRS Knowledge Source. University of Indianapolis Library. Retrieved 3 April 2006 Page 2

8 Belt, Don. "Europe's Big Gamble." Page 1

Tariffs would be abolished, so there would be no obstacles in the way of increased commerce. Accordingly, the European Union is closing in on the United States in both political and economic areas.9 A national security expert in Budapest, Miklos Derer, explains, "Our yes vote means we've made a choice to be Europeans. It means the end of ambiguity."10

Many benefits can be attained by the expansion of the Europe Union. For example, the Union spends millions of dollars to better highways, stop radioactive waste dumping, and improve border checks. Members would therefore gain from the increased attention paid to their needs.11 Minorities present in countries vying for admission to the European Union benefit because of the recent equal treatment condition for admittance to the Union.12

Along with minorities, farmers have discovered a way to profit from becoming members of the European Union. European Union subsides can aid farmers in upgrading their equipment in order to compete with larger European businesses.13 The continued expansion of the European Union will eventually assistance every member, both new and old. However, big businesses may feel threatened by the increase of competition through the continued expansion of the Union. On the other hand, advantage of continued expansion would include 300,000 new jobs to be developed by the European Union

9 Belt, Don. "Europe's Big Gamble." Page 1

10 Belt, Don. "Europe's Big Gamble." Page 2

11 Belt, Don. "Europe's Big Gamble." Page 3

12 Belt, Don. "Europe's Big Gamble." Page 2

13 Belt, Don. "Europe's Big Gamble." Page 4

itself.14

Short Comings

Current members are concerned Entering nations also have many doubts concerning a loss of newly founded nationality

and competition in business. The broadening of the Union to include newly nationalized states would create a sense of instability that might threaten the Union as well as the individual states. However, the increase of capital, jobs, and pure opportunity seem to outweigh the doubts of prospective members.

Newly admitted countries are not as developed as older members in areas of productivity, income, and health; therefore, progression in these three areas will be slow and intermittent. Additionally, some of the European Union's budget might be spent on insuring the development of newly admitted states instead of focusing on the existing members. Helena Zapala, who sells cheese on the streets in Poland, Krakow, comments, "The rich get richer, the poor get poorer."15 By saying this,