The European Union and the Spanish State
Europe
Europe is divided into 49 independent countries. European states are very different, with three main distinctions:
Size
The largest is the Russian Federation, and the smallest are the micro-states, which are less than 500 km² in area.
Population
The Russian Federation has the largest population, with 140 million inhabitants. The next largest populations are in Germany, France, and the UK. The least populated state is Vatican City, with less than 1,000 inhabitants.
Wealth
Germany is the major economic power. Luxembourg has the highest income per capita. Moldova and Georgia have the lowest.
Western Europe is the most developed region on the continent. It’s divided into sub-regions: Northern Europe, Atlantic Europe, Alpine Europe, and Mediterranean Europe.
Ex-Soviet Europe is the largest region. It can be divided into four sub-regions: the Russian Federation, the Baltic countries, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova.
The European Union
The Origins
After the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers that were much stronger than the European countries.
European countries had a renewed interest in creating a continent-wide organization and promoting cooperation among themselves. They had two objectives:
- To consolidate peace and prevent new wars in Europe
- To compete collectively against the superpowers
In 1961, six European countries decided to combine some of their energy resources. This successful cooperation in the coal and steel sectors led them to integrate their entire economies a few years later. In 1957, they signed the Treaty of Rome.
From the EEC to the EU
Since 1957, the original EEC has seen many changes as it has adapted to new challenges. One of the milestones was the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993. In 2004, a European Constitution was written. Following its rejection by several countries, it was amended. The result was the Treaty of Lisbon.
1957: The Treaty of Rome is signed, creating the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.
1986: The Single European Act is signed.
2002: Euro notes and coins are introduced in 11 EU countries.
2009: The Treaty of Lisbon comes into force. This treaty:
- Increases the legislative and budgetary authority of the European Parliament
- Restricts the areas in which decisions must be unanimous
- Establishes a common charter of fundamental rights
- Creates two new positions: President of the European Council and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
In summary, the EEC has evolved from a simple association for economic cooperation. The aims of the EU now include the social and political integration of its members.
Institutions
European Council: (President + Heads of State of 27) (Troika as coordinators) → Government
| Executive | Legislative | Judicial |
|---|---|---|
| Commission (to govern) | Council of the European Union & Parliament (to make laws) | Court of Justice (to judge) |
Challenges the EU Faces
Enlargement
To join the EU, a state must meet three criteria:
- Include and apply EU law in its legal system
- Have stable institutions that guarantee democracy
- Have a functioning market economy
A Tight Budget
The EU has an annual budget to achieve its objectives. The funds are used to improve the standard of living of EU citizens.
Reducing Regional Inequalities
There are great contrasts both between member countries and between different regions.
The regional policy of the EU aims to raise the standard of living of the poorer regions and to narrow the development gap between poorer and richer regions through aid. EU regional policy has three objectives:
- The convergence objective aims to promote growth and jobs in less developed regions.
- The regional competitiveness and employment objective aims to help richer regions modernize economically.
- The European territorial cooperation objective promotes common solutions in areas like urban, rural, coastal, economic, business, research, and water management between at least two member states.
This aid is financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, and the Cohesion Fund, created in 1994.
The Spanish State
The Political System
The Constitution of 1978 defines Spain as:
- A social or welfare state because the state intervenes to achieve a fair society.
- Democratic because the citizens participate in the government.
- Governed by the rule of law because everyone, including the authorities, must obey the law, and citizens have recognized rights.
The main institutions are based in the capital of Spain, Madrid. The head of state is a king because Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The king has no real powers of government. Parliament approves all the laws, and then they are signed by the king.
Territorial Organization
Spain is organized into municipalities, provinces, autonomous communities, and cities. There are over 8,100 municipalities.
- Municipalities are organized into 50 provinces, and the provinces are grouped into 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities.
Each Autonomous Community has its own Statute of Autonomy, which includes the areas over which it has decision-making power. Each also has its own institutions: the Autonomous Government, the Regional Parliament, and the Supreme Court of Justice.
Territorial Differences in Spain
The Spanish Constitution guarantees the principle of inter-regional solidarity; however, significant differences exist between the autonomous communities.