Part of The Student Room Group

  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

What are the arguments for and against the proposals to reform the European Constitution?

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

What are the arguments for and against the proposals to reform the European Constitution? The constitution is a single document replacing current European laws that come from several international treaties. It recognises and codifies EU decision making which has become more complicated since the EU expanded from 15 to 25 states in May 2004. On 18 June, the EU Member States agreed on a Constitutional Treaty (Constitution) for the EU. The Member States of the European Union worked on this new Constitution during the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), which started in October 2003. The basis for these negotiations was the draft Constitutional Treaty drawn up by the European Convention on the Future of Europe. Member States are expected to sign the Constitution on October 29, 2004. Subsequently, the Constitution has to be ratified by all Member States according to their constitutional provisions. Only thereafter, the Constitution will come into force. So far, ten Member States have announced to hold referenda: Ireland, Denmark, Great Britain, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic and Portugal. ...read more.

Middle

It also makes practical sense to sign new treaties and agreements with one signature not 25 as the EU is already an economic union. Some economists believe that this will be a step towards a single European state that will accelerate the extension of EU powers. They also believe that the Constitution will create powerful posts of President and Foreign Minister. These spokesperson' could undermine member states' ability to represent themselves independently at international level. This is challenged however by views for the constitution that the EU will have a greater clout and clarity on the world stage by the strengthening of the leadership. It is believed that the Constitution will help citizens to see how decision making is organised because it sets down on paper in one document for the first time how the EU works, it also will strengthen citizens rights by including the charter of fundamental rights. However economists state that although it explains how the EU institutions and countries relate to each other and how decisions are made, it doesn't address how citizens relate to EU institutions. ...read more.

Conclusion

It will affect how we're represented globally as `European citizens`. It's biggest impact for the next generation because the constitution may bring closer political integration. People still disagree on how important the constitution is and about what will happen if a UK referendum rejects or accepts it. Some argue that the constitution will just clarify or tidy up the running of the EU while others say it will fundamentally change the UK's independence and position in Europe. If the UK rejects the constitution it is thought that the UK will be pushed to the margins of the EU or even forced to leave it entirely, affecting British people economically and politically. On the other hand it is thought that the UK's independence will be secured and the government's accountability to its citizens secured. The impact will be less dramatic if referendums in other countries also reject it. If the poll accepts the Constitution people think that the EU bureaucracy will be expanded, economic and political integration speeded up creating a country called "Europe". Those in favour of the constitution say that it will make the EU more accountable and better run bringing EU issues and laws closer to home. Louise Carvey ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level European Union section.

Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

or


Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related AS and A Level European Union essays

  1. A clear explanation of key underpinning economic theories relevant to the EU.

    Joined the EU in 1995 but has not adopted the single currency. Belgium, the official language is German. The capital of the country is Brussels this is where the EU is based. Education is taken to be very serious and attendance is obligatory for all children and young people aged between six and eighteen.

  2. Transformation of the U.S. Hegemony in Europe through NATO after the Cold War

    was promoted in order to give the Union a more effective role in international arena. Lessons taken from the Yugoslavia crisis were effectively put into the policies of the EU in order to have a more coordinated member state reaction to any potential crisis situation.

  1. What does citizenship mean in the European context?

    But there must, likewise, be direct legitimation by citizens -- de jure or de facto -- at the union level. Establishing European Citizenship would, thus it seems, be one necessary step to resolving that legitimation deficit. Vesting that concepts with attributes, mechanisms or instruments that manifest, in a manner not

  2. Regulation 2560/2001 on cross-border payments in Europe.

    justify the high investment costs in sophisticated settlement systems that would lower costs. Secondly, they state that matters are complicated further by the different legal and technical frameworks that have been used in designing national systems. However, these arguments illustrate that there was no incentive for the banks to change the old situation.

  1. Examples: Shadows of Leadership

    one example of broken loyalty that Clinton displayed while America was under his leadership. The Monica Lewinsky scandal: Mr. Clinton used stonewalling tactics to squelch the investigation into their sexual affair. Where was Clinton's loyalty to America and 'truth' during this episode?

  2. "To what extent will the proposed EU constitution affect, the procedure for EU/EC negotiation ...

    According to that, the decision of the ECJ in Case 22/70 Commission v. Council (ERTA) [1971] ECR 263 outlined the concept of external competence. It justified, under the Treaty, the Community's act to implement a common policy and therefore, there was no area left for the Member States to exercise their powers in common policy.

  1. This essay is intended to have an in-depth appraisal of the implication of the ...

    of the organisation, one of which was the success recorded by the three countries within the BENELUX arrangement2, which greatly improved their economy was noted by observes as the main motivating factor that necessitated the integration of the economy of the countries that founded the first institution of the union.

  2. "The World We're In," by British author Will Hutton - A discussion of America ...

    The final inconsistency is that America is cast as "already lost"-- the conservatives reign with an iron hand, and the beaten liberals sit with their tails tucked between their legs. However, in Britain, all is not lost. Positive choice can topple the current conservative tendencies.

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work