All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What are the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership (in one concise list)?
Answer: Stable democracy, rule of law, human rights; market economy; adopt EU acquis. 1993 criteria ensuring new members meet EU standards.
Flashcard 2: What is the “four freedoms” principle of the EU single market?
Answer: Free movement of goods, services, capital, and people. Core principle enabling the single market to function.
Flashcard 3: What is the Schengen Area in relation to EU border policy?
Answer: Passport-free travel zone with abolished internal border controls. Created in 1985, now includes 27 European countries.
Flashcard 4: Identify whether Schengen membership is identical to EU membership.
Answer: No; some EU states are outside Schengen and some non-EU states are inside. UK/Ireland opted out; Norway/Switzerland are non-EU members.
Flashcard 5: What is the euro in the context of European integration?
Answer: A common currency used by the Eurozone member states. Launched in 1999, adopted by 20 of 27 EU member states.
Flashcard 6: Which EU institution has the primary role of proposing EU legislation?
Answer: European Commission. Executive branch with exclusive right to initiate legislation.
Flashcard 7: Which EU institution represents member-state governments and co-legislates on most laws?
Answer: Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers). Ministers from each member state vote on proposed laws.
Flashcard 8: What 1957 treaties created the European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom?
Answer: Treaties of Rome (1957). Established the EEC (Common Market) and atomic energy cooperation.
Flashcard 9: Which EU institution is directly elected by EU citizens and co-legislates on most laws?
Answer: European Parliament. Only EU institution with democratic mandate from citizens.
Flashcard 10: What 1992 treaty created the European Union and launched the “three pillars” structure?
Answer: Treaty of Maastricht (1992). Transformed the EEC into a political union with expanded powers.
Flashcard 11: What was the central economic aim of the European Economic Community (EEC)?
Answer: Create a common market by reducing internal trade barriers. Aimed to integrate economies through free trade among members.
Flashcard 12: What is the European Union (EU) in the context of postwar European integration?
Answer: A supranational political and economic union of European member states. Evolved from postwar cooperation to prevent future conflicts.
Flashcard 13: What 1951 treaty created the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)?
Answer: Treaty of Paris (1951). First step toward European integration through coal/steel cooperation.
Flashcard 14: Which six states were the original members of the ECSC in 1951?
Answer: France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg. The "Inner Six" founding members of European integration.
Flashcard 15: Which EU body sets broad political direction and is composed of heads of state or government?
Answer: European Council. Summit meetings that guide EU's strategic priorities.
Flashcard 16: What is the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)?
Answer: Interprets EU law and ensures its uniform application. Highest court ensuring member states comply with EU treaties.
Flashcard 17: What is the principle of “supremacy of EU law” as developed by the CJEU?
Answer: EU law takes precedence over conflicting national law. Established through landmark cases like Costa v. ENEL (1964).
Flashcard 18: Which treaty is most associated with major institutional reforms to prepare for eastern enlargement?
Answer: Treaty of Lisbon (2007; in force 2009). Streamlined decision-making and created EU President position.
Flashcard 19: Which 2004 event best represents the EU’s post–Cold War “eastern enlargement”?
Answer: Accession of 10 states, mostly from Central and Eastern Europe (2004). Largest single expansion, reuniting Europe after Cold War.
Flashcard 20: What is the term for the 2016–2020 process of the United Kingdom leaving the EU?
Answer: Brexit. First member state withdrawal, completed January 31, 2020.
Flashcard 21: What 1986 agreement is most associated with accelerating completion of the EU single market?
Answer: Single European Act (1986). Set 1992 deadline for removing all internal market barriers.
Flashcard 22: What 1992 treaty formally created the European Union and introduced a three-pillar structure?
Answer: Treaty of Maastricht (1992). Transformed the EEC into a political union with expanded powers.
Flashcard 23: What currency was introduced as part of Economic and Monetary Union and later became physical cash?
Answer: The euro. Launched 1999 (accounting), physical coins/notes in 2002.
Flashcard 24: What is the Eurozone in relation to the European Union?
Answer: EU member states that use the euro as their currency. Not all EU members adopted the single currency.
Flashcard 25: What is the Schengen Area in relation to EU border policy?
Answer: A passport-free travel zone with abolished internal border checks. Created by 1985 Schengen Agreement, now includes most EU states.
Flashcard 26: What is the main role of the European Commission within EU institutions?
Answer: Proposes EU legislation and enforces EU law; executive body. Acts as "guardian of the treaties" with monopoly on legislative initiative.
Flashcard 27: What is the main role of the European Parliament in EU governance?
Answer: Directly elected legislature that co-decides laws and the budget. Powers expanded over time; now co-equal with Council in most areas.
Flashcard 28: What is the main role of the Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers)?
Answer: Represents member-state governments; co-legislates and coordinates policy. Ministers from each state meet by policy area to pass laws.
Flashcard 29: What is the European Council, and what does it primarily do?
Answer: Heads of state or government setting overall EU political direction. Summit meetings define strategic priorities, not day-to-day legislation.
Flashcard 30: What is the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) responsible for?
Answer: Interpreting EU law and ensuring its uniform application. EU law supremacy ensures single market functions uniformly.