Does the European integration improve a loss of national autonomy?

Résumé du document

European integration is a regionalization process which has built an economic and political community. This association of countries is characterized by a supranational organization which manages the association. As a kind of federation, the European Union representatives play a significant role in creating the laws which govern the member states. The member states have in some respects given up their national authority and transferred some of their political, administrative and economical powers to the European Union. De facto, the European Integration process seems to weaken the autonomy of the European states, since national autonomy is defined as "to be allowed to govern itself by its own laws" (Thucidyde). This high authority appears as a constraint which in effect demotes the ability of these countries to make use of their free will (Descartes' freedom conception). Indeed, they must follow the European directives. Regardless, the European Union contributes to the loss of national autonomy. The governments of these nations are reduced to merely executing European orders, functioning in effect as ?check-in rooms'. John Locke clearly asserts in his Second Treatise of Government, "in all cases, whilst the government subsists, the legislative is the supreme power : for what can give laws to another, must needs be superior to him". But still, is there an area where the nation-states have managed to preserve a sense of control, which surpasses that of the European Union and its institutions? Does the loss of national autonomy just concern the economic areas, or is the European Union's power increasing its hold over the governments of the European member states ? Furthermore, could the European Union's grip on the national policies put into question the democratic nature of the member states ?

Extraits

[...] The European common market and the commercial treaties impose the rules of the liberal free trade on member states . The common market has put an end to protectionist and other economic nationalist practices, which nation states used in the past thus, compromising the sovereignty of less powerful nations. The creation of the Economic Community of Steal and Coal in April 1951 obliged the six countries that signed up to abide by the laws of the high authority. This sector of yield was run by a supranational organization that looked for the best economic policies which would benefit the common good, going beyond country's national interests. [...]

[...] However, the European institutions have suspended the financial penalties. Lots of reactions have appeared in the federalist camp, denouncing the fact that national interests can endanger the European good common. Nevertheless, one may state that the European member states are not yet already to give up their political prerogatives. During the first steps of European Integration at the dawn of 1950's, Carlo Schmid, asserted that a third power is necessary to prevent the world from being torn part, but Europe can only become that power if its puts its house in order, its components states must abandon the principle of sovereignty, on which politics have essentially been based in modern times, in favour of a supranational community One may emphasize that the point of view of this German politician, actor of the good relationship between Germany and France, was visionary. [...]

[...] The European Institutions are used to prevent firms from fusing together, to limit their taking over of the economy. In France, the European consumers' protection, denounced the oligopoly entente between the three main telephonic operators (orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom) resulting in a huge financial penalty. European Union has created the free trade framework and the necessary bodies in order to reduce unfair trading. . and the European constraints about budgetary, monetary policies jeopardize their freedom to set up national economic conjectural or structural policies Many national governments have seen their political prerogatives in economic policies diminish. [...]

[...] Bache, chapter Theories of European Integration Governance in a Global Economy, Van Houten, chapter regional autonomy in Europe Community of citizens, On the modern idea of nationality, D. Schnapper Manuel Critique du Parfait Européen, Jacques Généreux Pouvoirs, French political newspapers 64, Article le spectre technocratique et le retour du politique (the spectre of the technocracy and the political comeback) , J.L Quermonne Article Quelle subsidiarité ? (What subsidiarity Charppentier The Economist, Give Europe a say, the dangerous silence on the new treaty October 27th-November 2nd 2007 Article Give Europe a say , p15 Article Congratulations! [...]

[...] The Commercial Worldly Organization closed their eyes on these subventions thanks for the negotiations of European representatives who have a significant power. Thus, in The Nation State in question, the authors qualify the loss of national autonomy, asserting that nation states may also obtain further power if supranational markets offer them the opportunity to obtain objectives otherwise beyond their reach Indeed, the national interest and the democratic national representation may be illustrating on the European Union bodies. Marc Abeles emphasizes that the members of the European parliament are elected on the basis of national parties and expectations. [...]