Abstract
The paper looks at why the countries of the North American zone; Canada, the United States and Mexico joined together as an economic bloc and why European nations chose to re-constitute themselves into a single political and economic bloc after the Second World War. The paper then examines how economic integration between the European and North American countries has been and is pursued. The paper compares NAFTA to the European Union and explores the tensions between the two powerful trading blocs and where their tense relationship appears to be headed.

Outline:
Introduction
The North American Free Trade Agreement
The European Union: Its Origins, its "Unity-Based" Agenda, and its Collective Trade Policy
Comparing NAFTA with the European Union
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The "official" reasons for the emergence of the North American Free Trade Agreement are stated in Article 102 of the document. Specifically, the document states that all three signatories wish to eliminate barriers in trade and to facilitate the free movement of goods and services across the boundaries of the various territories. Article 102 also makes it clear that NAFTA is meant to promote "fair competition" and to increase investment opportunities for all three nations. As importantly as anything else, the document also delineates that the free trade accord is meant to ensure that intellectual property rights and the enforcement of intellectual property rights is carried out effectively and vigorously in all of the ratifying nations."

Tags:free, trade, fair, competition, barriers, economics, politics, Canada, United, States, Mexico

Abstract
This paper discusses how the European Union has served as a model for international, political and economic integration. The EU has been able to transform the European continent from a diverse, complicated and myriad conglomeration of independent nations, markets and currencies into a unified economic and trade entity which has demonstrated far more success than most experts predicted when it was first established. Due to the success of the EU government form or model, NAFTA has patterned itself in accordance with many EU structural and policy elements.

From the Paper
"The European Union has served as a model for international political and economic integration, for the EU has been able to transform the European continent from a diverse, complicated, and myriad conglomeration of independent nations, markets, and currencies into a unified economic and trade entity which has demonstrated far more success than most experts predicted when it was first established. Because of the success of the EU's government form/model, NAFTA has patterned itself in accordance with many EU structural and policy elements. The European Union and its single currency system were years in the making. Beginning with the Treaty of Rome in 1957, which declared a common European market as a European objective, European states have pursued the common goal."

Tags:eu, and, nafta

Abstract
This paper deals with many concepts of modern international relations, such as the departure from the bipolar system of the Cold war and how, with the united Europe, the world may be headed back to a bipolar system. The paper also explores how, beyond just being allies, the united Europe positions itself as an economical adversary of the United States. Finally, the essay explores the role of Great Britain in the formation of the European Union, while looking into the British refusal to enter it completely, as with acceptance of a single currency.

From the Paper
"The European Union has been a formidable geo-political and economic institution for the past forty years. It has not always existed as we see it today. To obtain today's form it has evolved in a similar fashion to other multi-lateral bodies in the world as well as some countries, such as the United States. The idea of a United Europe evolved from the ardent advocacy of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. On the 19th of September 1946, at Zurich University, he promoted the idea of a United States of Europe. From that moment on the European states began the Herculean task of coordinating economic agreements the most prominent of which is the new Exchange Rate Mechanism, or the "Euro," and other multi-national decisions that would be the beginning phases of economic, and in-turn governmental, integration in Europe. As Nigel Lawson stated; Economic and monetary union implies nothing less than European government. The first effect of this growing movement was the implementation of the Euro as a means of continental transaction amongst the member states in 1998 and the eventual full integration of the Euro among the member nations as of January 1, 2002."

Tags:blair, british, euro, europe, hegemon, kingdom, nafta, states, thatcher, united

Abstract
In this article, the writer briefly examines the differences and similarities between the European Union and NAFTA. Specifically, the writer explores the various institutions of each and notes how the EU has in place institutions which seek political and social integration (at least with regards to policy) in a way that NAFTA does not - and probably never will.

From the Paper
"Ultimately, the only conclusion which can be reached is that the North American signatories to NAFTA want to make money through trade and tariff liberalization while Europe seeks to turn itself into something akin to a United States of Europe."

Tags:north

Abstract
The paper provides a comparison between the European Union and NAFTA. The paper argues that NAFTA is not evolving into an entity like the EU.

From the Paper
"Many researchers have suggested that the European Union(EU) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)are very similar entities. After all they are both trading blocs. Trading blocs are groups of countries that have signed mutual free-trade agreements with each other in order increase economic growth through economics of scale (Barrows and Cotsomitis 164). The question is, is NAFTA evolving into an entity like the EU? Or is it a totally different type of entity? It will be argued that NAFTA is not evolving into an entity like the EU. Instead of resulting in closer economic and political integration in North America, NAFTA will result in..."

Tags:european, union, nafta

Abstract
"This paper examines some of the costs and benefits of NAFTA for the Canadian economy. The author evaluates whether or not NAFTA could ever evolve into a more comprehensive alliance along the lines of the European Union. The paper relates that, determining the value of NAFTA to Canada is not a clear-cut case of good or bad.

From the Paper
"There are a variety of benefits and costs for Canada when considering continued participation in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In fact, depending on who is questioned, the risks will alternately outweigh or underscore the benefits that NAFTA has to offer Canada. Determining the value of NAFTA, accordingly, is not a clear-cut case of good or bad. Instead, there are a myriad number of forces at work that can make NAFTA appealing in some instances but not others."

Tags:canada, nafta, eu

Abstract
This paper briefly examines the differences and similarities between the European Union (EU) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Specifically, the paper explores the various institutions of each and notes how the EU has in place institutions which seek political and social integration (at least with regards to policy) in a way that NAFTA does not - and probably never will.

From the Paper
"Having mentioned at length the political integration of Europe, some time should be devoted to the legal integration of the continent (and Great Britain). For one thing, the European Court of Justice ensures that all laws promulgated by the council and parliament are interpreted and applied in the same fashion in all member states; at the same time, the Luxembourg Court also ensures that national courts do not give different rulings when confronted with the same legal matters and substantially the same laws - and it works tirelessly to compel EU institutions to follow the letter of the law, as well (Europa, "How is the EU Organized?" sec.4). For its part, the Court of Auditors supervises EU funds and checks to make sure that taxpayer money is not spent illegally or in a profligate manner; the court - also based in Luxembourg - has the right to audit any organization handling EU money (Europa, "How is the EU Organized?" sec.5)."

Tags:integration, political, council, nations

Abstract
This paper looks at the factors which gave rise to continental trading blocs in North America and in Europe. Specifically, the writer looks at how and why the countries of the North American zone, Canada, the United States, and Mexico, all joined together as an economic, but not yet political or legal, bloc. The writer also discusses why European nations chose to re-constitute themselves into a single, enormous political and economic bloc after the Second World War. Further, the writer looks at how economic integration between the European and North American countries has been, and is, pursued. Finally, the writer compares NAFTA and the European Union and examines the tensions between the two powerful trading blocs.

From the Paper
"In the final analysis, it may be said that the European Union emerged out of a fear of U.S. domination and is still controlled by that fear whereas the NAFTA agreement grew out of the U.S. desire to break down trade barriers between itself, Canada and Mexico - and perhaps also to find a counterweight to the EU and to its anti-American stance on a number of issues. The two trade blocs, therefore, must be seen as manifestations of an instinctive urge on the part of key players on both sides of the Atlantic to extend and consolidate economic as well as political and diplomatic power."

Tags:free, trade, agreement

Abstract
The paper explores the competitive trade factors between these two trade agreements, which were initially arranged by the European Union in order to combat global domination by the nationalistic agenda of the United States within NAFTA. The paper discusses how although NAFTA provides trade policy that is beneficial for Mexico and Canada, many of the mandates of NAFTA are far more beneficial for the United States. The paper shows how, in essence, the European Union's trade agreement and policy agenda is formulated much like NAFTA in order to stave off American domination of the world markets.

Tags:nafta, eu, trade

Abstract
This seven page undergraduate paper examines why geographical proximity is an important factor in the creation of trading blocs such as NAFTA and the EU. In part because of the geographical proximity of the member states of the European Union, the EU has served as a model for international political and economic integration, for the EU has been able to transform the European continent from a diverse, complicated, and myriad conglomeration of independent nations and markets into a unified economic and trade entity which has demonstrated far more success than most experts predicted when the EU was first established.

From the Paper
"Geographical proximity is an important factor in the creation of trading blocs such as NAFTA and the EU. In part because of the geographical proximity of the member states of the European Union, the EU has served as a model for international political and economic integration, for the EU has been able to transform the European continent from a diverse, complicated, and myriad conglomeration of independent nations and markets into a unified economic and trade entity which has demonstrated far more success than most experts predicted when the EU was first established."

Tags:nafta, and, eu