The political structure of the European Union is an important topic to go over for several reasons. Whether you are going to Europe for traveling purposes or thinking about living there. It’s common sense to understand how the political system works wherever you are living, so for Europe, this is what we will discuss: what the European Union is, how it works, what countries are involved and why it’s important.
According to Kimberly Amadeo of “the balance,” and many other sources, the “European Union (EU) is a unified trade and monetary body of 2[7] member countries. Its purpose is to be more competitive in the global marketplace. At the same time, it must balance the needs of its independent fiscal and political members” (Amadeo). In simple terms, it’s an economic and political association within European countries that involve free trade.
As stated above, the EU includes 27 countries like “Austria, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, Estonia” and others. The United Kingdom was with the EU, but has since left. Most of the countries have their “…own currency, the euro, which is used by 19 of the member countries, its own parliament and it now sets rules in a wide range of areas-including on the environment, transport, and consumer right and even things such as mobile phone charges” (Hunt & Wheeler).
The political system within the EU is the European Council. They are “made up of the heads of state or government of the EU Member States, the president of the European Commission, and the president of the European Council” and they are the individuals who set the policies and are of the “highest political authority in the EU” (How the EU). The law-making process involves three different institutions: The European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament.
The importance of the EU is a significant one because of the rights you obtain when you are a Union citizen. They include: traveling freely and can stay in any member state. No border checking as well; voting in the European Parliament elections where you live permanently; if you happen to travel outside the EU and need help, the Finnish foreign mission will assist you; and if you are being treated unfairly, then you may ask for help from the European Ombudsman (Significance). The European Ombudsman “is an independent and impartial body that holds the EU administration to account” (The European Ombudsman).
Other significances of the EU include “[n]o duties are paid on trade between EU member states. Exporting and importing goods is simple. Companies find it easy to operate and do business in Europe” (Significance). It also makes it easier to investigate crimes because of the police cooperation’s throughout Europe. The education institutions work together so that students may go to another EU member state to study, which may be helpful when moving or traveling.
So, the main importance of the EU, is that it has helped boost the economy and has made trading between the countries easier. Along with the rights as a citizen, it has many benefits of living there, or even traveling there. 27 countries in Europe work in the EU to provide for their citizens in many ways. Not only for the citizens, but for the government and the economy as well.
References
Amadeo, K. (2016, November 21). How Europe Became an Economic Powerhouse. Retrieved June 02, 2017, from https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-the-european-union-how-it-works-and-history-3306356
Hunt, A., & Wheeler, B. (2017, April 25). Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU. Retrieved June 02, 2017, from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887
How the EU Works. (n.d.). Retrieved June 02, 2017, from http://www.euintheus.org/who-we-are/how-the-eu-works/
Significance of the European Union. (n.d.). Retrieved June 02, 2017, from http://europarlamentti.info/en/European-union/significance-of-the-EU/
The European Ombudsman. (2014, January 06). Retrieved June 02, 2017, from http://www.ombudsman.org.mt/the-european-ombudsman/
