Institutional & Bureaucratic Dynamics

Although the EC/EU has never had to advertise for members, one could postulate that in the past a certain amount of institutional or bureaucratic ‘drift’ existed at various times in respect of the issue of enlargement, particularly in terms of the wider implications of the intimate relationship between deepening and widening. As such, one could postulate that, on the one hand, perhaps in order simply to avoid ‘bureaucratic sclerosis’, and on the other, driven by the desire to maintain the holy shibboleths of integration theory, that the EU institutions themselves, and the Commission in particular, have at certain times sought to cajole the Member States towards opening up the Union to continual expansion. The institutions themselves then have thus acted as a subtle factor prompting evolution in this regard. We should of course stress that this has never been a major driving force in EU enlargement, but it is useful to consider this point nonetheless because it functions to remind us of the important role played initially by the Commission, and now also by the European Parliament, in the enlargement process, and in particular in respect of the accession procedures. In essence however this is a potential driver only in particular circumstances – such as when profound disagreement exists between the current members over the long-term goals of the Union as was the case between 1981-84 – and thus where the need for enlargement can be used to defray or redistribute the costs of such disagreements to prospective new members, or to reaffirm the status of the ‘integration project’ more generally. Similarly such an issue surfaced again as Prodi sought to ensure that the Western Balkans were, as a group, promoted from the antechamber of the Neighbourhood Policy to be given a full ‘entry perspective’ into the EU.

Associated with: Future of the European Union in 2030

Description:

Political stability factors have been of fundamental importance in the foundation of the European Union as well as its ongoing enlargement process. When looking beyond economical benefits, there is a strong case to be made that membership to the union brings political stability to each member and to Europe as a whole. When looking in particular at the EU enlargement process it can be seen as a way to bring stability to the neighboring sates as it brings a politico-administrative lock-in on the part of the potential new member states. [1]

Political stability is also perceived as a dynamic issue for the EU, as the failure to stability is seen as merely an invitation to introduce instability. As such, this point relates in particular to the broad acknowledgement of the significant changes that have occurred at the global political level since the end of the Cold War. In particular the process of European integration has been fundamental in bringing stability to the region. [1]

When looking beyond the beginning of the Cold War, Europe has been one of the most instable regions in the world. The past 65 years represent the longest period of peace in European history. This is despite the fact that during these years Europe saw one major ethnic war (the Yugoslavia breakup 1991-1995), and only two minor conflicts (the 1956 Soviet intervention in Hungary and the 1974 Greco-Turkish war in Cyprus). The early years of the Cold War (1945-63) were marked by a handful of major crises, although none brought Europe to the brink of war. Since 1963, however, there have been no East-West crises in Europe. Although, during these 65 years there have not been many instances that Europe has been facing instability, history does not favor that state to continue forever. Therefore, political stability is one of the most vital driving forces behind the European Union. [2, 3]

The objectives of Europe Political Stability:

• Avoid War
• Increase Economic Growth

Enablers:

• Will to avoid war
• Trade
• Economical growth

Inhibitors:

• Boarder Disputes
• Civilian War
• Finical Crisis
• Changes in Religion/Society Makeup

Paradigms:

Due to the history of Europe political stability ????

Experts:

• Politicians
• Global Executives
• Reporters
• Heads of Civil Movements

Resources:

• [1] Could we imagine other future for Europe?