How is the European Union governed? - The Global Challenges Foundation

The EU started out as an economic cooperation, gradually expanding into a political union. How much do you know about this predecessor in global governance?

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The beginnings of the European Union were in the signing of the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957. What did the treaty propose?

Signature ceremony of the Treaty of Rome

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To create a single market for goods, labour, services, and capital across the European member states. It also proposed to create a Common Agriculture Policy, a Common Transport Policy, a European Social Fund, and establishing the European Commission.

A plan for preserving hard currency, while coordinating international trade through barter between state monopolies. This was especially vital for member countries when cooperating on oil transfers.

To create a common defense system together with the United States whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.

To create a supranational union with the states signing on would transfer all the powers and sovereignty to the newly formed European Union. A common social policy was particularly important with so many Europeans left impoverished by World War II.

How many of Europe’s 44 countries are currently members of the EU?

By Janwillemvanaalst - Own work, CC BY 4.0

Which is the EU’s current flag?

Flag of the European Coal and Steel Community

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By Ssolbergj - Public Domain

By User:Verdy p, User:-xfi-, User:Paddu, User:Nightstallion, User:Funakoshi, User:Jeltz, User:Dbenbenn, User:Zscout370 - File created by various Wikimedia users., Public Domain

What are the EU’s areas of responsibilities?

By JLogan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Upholding the same customs tariffs to other nations, the same competition rules for an internal market, monetary policy for the euro, a common fisheries policy and a common trade policy.

A common policy on agriculture, the environment, energy, transports, internet governance, research, humanitarian aid, and consumer protection.

A common policy on industry, culture, tourism, education, and administrative cooperation.

All of the above

What is "subsidiarity"?

By JLogan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2069873

The process by which wine is turned to vinegar, in accordance to the Common Agricultural Policy

The principle that the EU may contribute its troops under NATO's authority in times of emergency

Decisions are made at the national level unless they are an agreed area of EU activity, or the member states can work better together than alone

The technical term for when the European Parliament moves between Brussels and Strasbourg

Ursula von der Leyen is the president of the European Commission. What role does the Commission play?

By European Parliament from EU - Ursula von der Leyen presents her vision to MEPs, CC BY 2.0,

It decides on the on the allocation of the EU’s budget

It acts as the Commander in Chief of Europe’s armed forces

It is the EU’s executive arm, able to initiate and propose legislation and policies, and represents the EU in external negotiations

It is a supervisor and impartial observer of treaties decided upon by the EU member states

The EU has a free internal flow of people, capital and labour, a common currency, common political institutions, and rapidly expanded its number of member countries. What new development is currently being discussed in the EU?

By Laurent Verdier - CC0

A Pillar of Social Rights

A Common Citizenship

A Common European Army

A deepening collaboration with the Eurasian Economic Union