The European Union

Paper Summary:

The paper addresses the founding of the European Union and its organizations. The paper discusses how different theories of international relations view political events in vastly different ways. The paper specifically examines the standard schools of thought (realist, liberalist, and feminist) regarding these international organizations, regarding their opinion on EU developments. The paper analyzes how diversity has given the region much of its culture and heritage, but it is now faced with the task of finding a method of coexisting under a federation of states in the EU. The paper concludes that despite the "growing pains" created by the tension between different states and varying degrees of cooperation among these states, the EU has evolved quickly into an effective and influential organization.

From the Paper:

"Realists see regional organizations like the EU as "a gathering of sovereign states" all acting in their own self-interest and perpetually in conflict with the other states (McCormick 1999, p. 10). These conflicts, say realists, may be delayed, purposely set aside, or even settled, but each state will continue to operate within its borders under its own authority. Realism sees the state as a member of the international organization only because such membership is the most viable method of state survival in the global system (ibid.)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baylis, John (2001). "International and global security in the post-cold war era," in The Globalization of World Politics, John Baylis and Steve Smith, eds. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 253-276.
• McCormick, John (1999). Understanding the European Union, New York: St. Martin's Press.
• Smith, Steve (2001). "Reflectivist and constructivist approaches to international theory," in The Globalization of World Politics, John Baylis and Steve Smith, eds. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 224-249.
• Taylor, Paul (2001). "The United Nations and international order," in The Globalization of World Politics, John Baylis and Steve Smith, eds. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 331-255.

More papers on The European Union:

• Book Review # 145645 : "The European Union: Politics and Policies" - A Review"
• Research Paper # 84230 : "Multilevel Governance in the European Union"
• Essay # 71054 : " Turkey and the European Union"
• Essay # 69414 : "Turkey and the European Union"

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