Unification of Europe - UPSC PDF Download

Integration of Europe

Introduction

• European integration refers to the merging of various aspects, such as industrial, economic, political, legal, social, and cultural systems, among states that are either located in Europe or in close proximity. 
• This integration leads to increased collaboration in decision-making, the establishment of common laws, and the development of shared political and legal structures. The progression of European integration has become more profound since the end of World War II. 

Timeline of European Integration

• Why do sovereign states, which highly value their independence, decide to collaborate with other nations and integrate their economies, trade, and governance? Under what conditions would a sovereign state choose to relinquish any aspect of its sovereignty to an unelected body that it has no control or limited control over? To understand European Integration since World War 2, several theories have developed, such as Functionalism and Neo-functionalism, Inter-governmentalism, and the Balance of Power theory.
• Functionalism and Neo-functionalism are based on the idea that if national institutions cannot effectively address the challenges they face, an international institution might be better equipped to do so. One example of functionalism is international air traffic control, which is essential for global air travel and cannot be managed by a single country alone.
• Inter-governmentalism, on the other hand, suggests that states fundamentally want to maintain their sovereignty and will collaborate only when it serves their interests, regardless of the opinions of supranational elites. With the recent occurrence of Brexit, there is a strong argument that inter-governmentalism not only explains past events but also offers plausible predictions for the future.
• The Balance of Power theory posits that countries engage in integration when they perceive themselves as militarily weaker than some of their rivals and are uncertain about their intentions. In summary, this theory argues that the integration observed in the EU was not driven by the economic conditions in Europe after World War II or a latent desire to recreate the Concert of Europe. Instead, it was driven by an intention to "keep the Americans in, the Russians out, and the Germans down."

Reasons for European Integration

1. Ensuring freedom, security, and justice: The European Union (EU) sought to create a region without internal borders while implementing measures to regulate asylum, immigration, and combat crime at its external borders.
2. Creating an internal market: The EU aimed to establish a single market that would facilitate the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people among member countries.
3. Supporting sustainable development: The EU's goal was to achieve a balanced economic growth and price stability while maintaining a highly competitive market economy that would support full employment and social progress.
4. Protecting and improving the environment: European integration aimed to establish policies and initiatives that would preserve and enhance the quality of the environment.
5. Encouraging scientific and technological advancement: The EU sought to facilitate scientific research and technological innovation.
6. Combating social exclusion and discrimination: The EU aimed to tackle issues of social inequality and exclusion, promoting equal opportunities for all citizens.
7. Upholding social justice and protection: European integration sought to promote fairness and protection for citizens, including gender equality and the protection of children's rights.
8. Strengthening economic, social, and territorial cohesion: The EU aimed to foster solidarity among member countries and reduce disparities in development across the region.
9. Preserving cultural and linguistic diversity: European integration respected the rich cultural heritage and linguistic variety within the EU, ensuring that these aspects were preserved and celebrated.
10. Establishing an economic and monetary union: The EU aimed to create a unified economic and monetary system, with the euro serving as the common currency. 

The History of European Integration process

• The process of European integration began following the devastation of the Second World War in 1945. The United Nations founding Charter was signed in San Francisco that year, and many people started to envision a more united Europe as a model for peace and stability in the region. The idea was to promote European unity as a defense against the return of the nationalism that led to WWII.
• In 1949, the first step towards this vision was taken with the establishment of the Council of Europe in London by ten countries. The Council aimed to promote democracy and human rights across the continent. France and Germany then took the lead in creating an economic alliance, resulting in the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community in Paris in 1951. This community, which included France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, laid the groundwork for further economic cooperation.
• In 1957, the six countries involved in the European Coal and Steel Community decided to expand their economic collaboration to other sectors, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Rome and the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC later expanded to include the emerging democracies of Southern Europe, with Greece joining in 1981, and Spain and Portugal in 1986. This expansion helped to promote political stability and economic development in the Mediterranean region.
• The culmination of these efforts came in 1992 with the formation of the European Union (EU) under the Maastricht Treaty, which also launched the single internal market. Today, more than half a century after its initial steps, the EU is a unique global example of successful integration among different states, encompassing 450 million people across 27 countries.
• This ongoing process of integration has led to the establishment of supranational EU structures and the harmonization of numerous policies across various sectors, including economics, agriculture, energy, monetary affairs, foreign policy, defense, and science, technology, and innovation.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been making headlines globally due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The potential NATO membership of Ukraine is a significant factor in this issue; therefore, understanding the history and formation of NATO is crucial.
• NATO was established in 1949 as a result of a collaborative effort between the United States, Canada, and various Western European countries. Its primary purpose was to offer collective security against the Soviet Union.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) treaty

• The North Atlantic treaty also known as the Washington treaty was the first peacetime military alliance between the United States and non-western countries.
• After the Second World War, the European nations were struggling to rebuild their economies and security. The economic advancement required a huge amount of aid to help the war-torn landscapes. Help was also needed to establish industries and produce food, while the threat from Germany and the Soviet Union prevailed.

The Marshall plan (1948): The US viewed the new Europe as economically strong, rearmed, and integrated which was important to prevent the communist expansion across the continent.

• Hence, the Secretary of State George Marshall proposed a plan of huge economic aid to Europe known as the Marshall Plan or European Recovery Program, which facilitated European economic integration and promoted the idea of shared interests and cooperation between the United States and Europe.
• But the Soviet Union refused to participate in the Marshall Plan and did not even allow its satellite states in Eastern Europe to accept the economic assistance. These led to more division between the east and the west.

Members of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Organization of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• The North Atlantic Council was established soon after the treaty came into effect. It is composed of ministerial representatives of the member states, who meet at least twice a year. At other times the council, chaired by the NATO secretary-general, remains in permanent session at the ambassadorial level.
• Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) by the North Atlantic Council (NATO’s governing body)  was formed after World War II in December 1950.
• The position of SACEUR has always been held by an American, the secretary-generalship has always been held by a European.
• The Military Committee, consisting of representatives of the military chiefs of staff of the member states, subsumes two strategic commands: Allied Command Operations (ACO) and Allied Command Transformation (ACT). ACO is headed by the SACEUR and located at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, Belgium.

The Warsaw Pact

• The Paris Agreement admitted the membership of West Germany to NATO in 1950 prompted the soviet union to form the warsaw pact alliance in central and eastern Europe the same year.
• Warsaw Pact, formally Warsaw Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, (May 14, 1955–July 1, 1991) treaty establishing a mutual-defence organization (Warsaw Treaty Organization) composed originally of the Soviet Union and Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania (Albania withdrew in 1968, and East Germany in 1990.)
• The treaty (which was renewed on April 26, 1985) provided for a unified military command and the maintenance of Soviet military units on the territories of the other participating states.
• After the democratic revolutions of 1989 in eastern Europe, the Warsaw Pact became moribund and was formally declared “nonexistent” on July 1, 1991, at a final summit meeting of Warsaw Pact leaders in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Deployed Soviet troops were gradually withdrawn from the former satellites, now politically independent countries.
• The decades-long confrontation between eastern and western Europe was formally rejected by members of the Warsaw Pact, all of which, except the Soviet successor state of Russia, subsequently joined NATO.

Russia-NATO Relations
Over the years, Russia-NATO relations have experienced numerous fluctuations, with concerns often arising due to NATO's eastward expansion.

• In 1994, relations improved when Russia joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program. This progress continued in 2002 with the establishment of the Russia-NATO Council, which aimed to address security issues and collaborate on various projects.
• However, tensions resurfaced in 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea. In response, NATO unanimously decided to cease all cooperation with Russia, although they did not suspend the NATO-Russia Council.
• In 2021, further strain was placed on the relationship when eight Russian diplomats were expelled from Brussels, where the Russian mission to NATO was located. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his disapproval of NATO's expansion into Ukraine, which ultimately contributed to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Unification of Europe

What is European Integration?

European Integration is the process of industrial, economic, political, legal, social, and cultural integration of states wholly or partially in Europe or nearby. It involves greater shared decision-making, shared laws, and shared legal and political systems among the participating countries.

What are the main theories behind European Integration?

The main theories behind European Integration are Functionalism and Neo-functionalism, Inter-governmentalism, and Balance of Power. These theories help to understand why sovereign states choose to integrate their economies, commerce, and governance with other states.

What were the reasons for European Integration?

The reasons for European Integration include promoting peace, values, and the well-being of citizens, ensuring freedom, security and justice, establishing an internal market, achieving sustainable development, protecting the environment, promoting scientific and technological progress, combating social exclusion and discrimination, promoting social justice and protection, enhancing economic, social and territorial cohesion, and establishing an economic and monetary union.

What is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. It has since expanded to include more member countries and is a key player in global security and defense matters.

How have Russia-NATO relations evolved over time?

Russia-NATO relations have seen many ups and downs, with Russia joining the Partnership for Peace program with NATO in 1994 and the establishment of the Russia-NATO Council in 2002. However, relations soured after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, leading to NATO ending all cooperation with Russia. Despite the ongoing tensions, the NATO-Russia Council has not been suspended. The current Russia-Ukraine conflict has further strained relations, with Russia expressing displeasure over NATO's expansion into Ukraine.