East-West Conference 2003

Concept of political union is hard to pin down: how do we define it? 

Political union is an ill-defined, abstract concept: does it mean a traditional state-based model of governance, with strong central institutions and a single external identity, or a looser concept of common policies and institutions, without necessarily conforming to the characteristics of a nation state?

The EU as a hybrid system: between inter-governmentalism and the Community method 

If we define political union in terms of supranational or federal level institutions and integrated policies, the EU already shows several of these features: 

In terms of policies, some are dealt with using the community (federal) method, and some intergovernmentally, though the historical trend has been towards communitarisation (increased use of codecision and QMV in Council) of policy areas (Single Act, Maastricht, Amsterdam, JHA in Constitution?). 

EU can never be a political union in its purest form: nation states remain a key building block and the key actors in the EU system. Though they may be weaker than in the past, they are not about to lay down and die. Remains a union of peoples and states with national languages, cultures, traditions, which will not disappear overnight. 

European integration and finalité politique 

History of European integration has been one of step-by-step integration and almost constant constitutional evolution, with no defined end goal or finalité politique. Instead the Treaties included the ambition of ’ever closer union’, suggesting deeper and deeper political integration as an end in itself, without explicitly stating the final political or constitutional destination. EU remains, in the words of Delors, "an unidentified political object". 

Does a monetary union require a political union? 

Examples of monetary unions without political unions have existed in the past, as well as examples of political unions without monetary unions. Difficult to draw conclusion that one is inextricably linked to the other. 

Historically, monetary unions between sovereign governments have only been sustainable in the long term where member countries maintain close political links with one another (not necessarily economic integration). Also need to maintain commitment to common and principal objective of price stability. An own currency is nevertheless highly symbolic, and the decision to give up is indisputably a political one (without mentioning the economic aspects). 

Characteristics of EMU as a unique model 

EMU in practice: how will experience of EMU in operation inform future developments? 

Future integration of economic policy will depend on how EMU evolves in practice. 

Developments in the Convention: moves to political union? 

Existing policy areas (including EMU), broadly remained unchanged, while new policy areas have been added to EU competences: common foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs, defence, 

However, Constitution is likely to define and limit competences for the first time, could spell end of traditional trend of ’creeping’ integration, whereby Commission and Court push the boundaries of EU competence where there has been lack of clarity in Treaty provisions. 

Way forward for European integration: enlargement and enhanced cooperation 

How to reconcile union of increasing size and diversity with further integration?