European integration: history and modernity

A single Europe, a state without borders is the ideal dream of many philosophers, public figures, politicians and ordinary citizens. But she was able to incarnate not so long ago, in the middle of the 20th century.

A bit of history

The idea of the formation of the European Union did not arise from scratch. It became a kind of fruit of the socio-political situation that prevailed in Europe after the end of World War II. It was necessary to preserve and consolidate the delicate balance between the world powers, create a real confrontation with the new possible nucleations of fascism, raise the destroyed economy, restore and strengthen the international prestige of the leading Western European countries on the world stage. This was especially important in the light of the formation of another major political camp - the socialist one - by the countries of Eastern Europe led by the USSR, and also because of the persistent penetration of the US into the European market. Then China also declared itself loud enough.

To successfully confront and develop their own economy, any single power of the capitalist camp needed a common market consisting of 250 million or more people. Naturally, none, even the most developed Western European state could meet such requirements. The situation was aggravated by fierce competition and rivalry within this camp - between France, Germany, Belgium, etc.

Realizing the reasonableness and necessity of unification, the heads of state solved the main question: on what principles should European integration be built? Should America be modeled for and create its own United States of Europe, or should it confine itself to certain agreements on political, economic and legal cooperation without affecting state sovereignty? Controversial points on this topic arise to this day, they reflect the main stages of European integration.

EU: take-off period

So, step by step, step by step, the Western European powers began to pursue a policy of rapprochement and unification - first on an economic basis, by creating a coal and steel association and Euratom, simplifying customs control and organizing a single customs zone for free movement inside it People, and products, capital, etc. And then a common legislative space was formed in the person of the European Council and the European Parliament.

The idea of unity is gaining wide popularity, its benefit is becoming increasingly clear. For several decades the composition of the European Union has increased at times. Thus, European integration reflects an increase in the priority of common tasks over private state interests in the field of social economy, as well as those truly global changes in world politics and economics that occurred in the second half of the 20th century.

The paradox of geopolitics of this period is that, being a serious competitor of the USA in the world market and struggling with America for spheres of influence and stability on the world stage, the EU countries were firm allies with it in the military-political bloc of NATO, in the cold war against the USSR, In an effort to win over to their side the states of the Eastern European socialist camp.

The collapse of the Soviet Union, the destruction of the European socialist organism, naturally, was at hand in the hands of the whole West. The countries of the former Warsaw Pact obtained real freedom and the possibility of self-determination, as did most of the republics that were part of the USSR. The "dashing nineties" were such not only for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc., but also for Romania, Poland, the Balkans, etc., that hardly received the status of "state". The entire vast territory, which was in a state of socio-political and economic crisis.

Realizing that alone can not survive, that European integration is now the only right step, the countries of Eastern Europe began to seek support in the European Union. And for the Baltic States, and later for Ukraine, Moldova, joining the EU, visa-free regime have become an important reference point for foreign and domestic policy.

Problem with two unknowns

If up to this point the single European community was a roughly equally developed economic organism, the countries of the former socialist camp in this respect lagged far behind their western neighbors. Therefore, the further stages of European integration were due to a difficult choice: to take these countries to the EU, realizing that the Western powers in their person are taking on a fairly voluminous ballast, or refusing entry. But then there was a potential threat: sooner or later, Russia will again take the lost positions of the superpower. And Eastern Europe will again be in the geopolitical orbit of Moscow's influence. Naturally, the West did not like this state of affairs. Because Brussels and Washington are sweeping open the gates of the European Union and NATO, hospitably accepting into their composition not only the former socialist countries, but also the three Baltic states.

Increasing the amount does not mean improving the quality. Expanding the geographic scope of the organization and the sphere of influence, the EU, at the same time, received a considerable number of weak "smaller brothers," and the West European economy was given a serious load. And it was also not worth forgetting about competition with the United States, America everywhere pursued its interests, although it was "friendly" with the European Union.

Some Thoughts

Like any major territorial formation, the European integration has repeatedly experienced the stages of ups and downs. Leading economists had high hopes for a single Euro-currency, which was to become higher and more significant than the dollar, gradually ousting its supremacy in the world market and raising the economy of all members of the Union. In the early 2000s, the euro was created, claiming the role of a world reserve bank. The idea was originally right. And in the Maastricht Treaty, clearly defined criteria for which it was necessary to select candidates for the euro area. The main attention was paid to the budget deficit - it should not exceed 3 percent of the country's GDP. Of course, not everyone is willing to fit into this framework. However, the eurozone was accepted - played a role of "undercover" actions of the United States. This decision has become a sort of delayed-action mine, and members of the European Union are hostage to the situation.

At first glance, the euro was coping well with the mission entrusted to it, and today its rate is higher than the dollar. But the traditional "green" currency is popular all over the place. And the new round of economic crisis, shaking Europe, pose a serious threat to the existence of the EU. Greece, Portugal, Spain, Ireland pull the pan-European economic ship to the bottom. And even the "founding fathers" of the EU themselves are far from all smooth, the crisis - it is a crisis and there is. It is clear that European integration did not envisage such stages in its existence. Financing crisis countries at the expense of their own taxpayers is too expensive even for the main donors of the eurozone. But another paradox: there are no opportunities to get rid of the ballast countries. Legislative acts for adoption in the European Union, the euro area are developed, but the rules for getting out of them - no! And the advanced Western states can not get out of their brainchild and create a new union, otherwise they will restore their former neighbors and associates against themselves. Yes, and Putin's Russia is firmly on its feet, purposefully strengthened in the post-Soviet space and will not miss the opportunity to regain the former sphere of influence in Eastern Europe.

conclusions

So, in order to prevent a fiasco, the pillars of the European Union, in particular Germany and France, are in fact forced to maintain their allies. Who will benefit from this? The answer is simple. The euro has almost lost confidence and can not compete with the US dollar. It is the US, although they are not themselves sweet in the current crisis, are most satisfied with the shaky position of the EU.

At present, the European Union stands at a crossroads: it is impossible to let the weak countries go under the influence of Moscow, but it is extremely disadvantageous to contain them. However, in all likelihood, it is necessary: human and political ambitions have always been expensive ...