Integration of Europe post-Cold War

Introduction

Europe was divided for more than 40 years during the Cold War, or more precisely the “Era of Cold Wars,” from 1947 and 1991. Europe was split between Western Europe and Eastern Europe by the Iron Curtain after World War II concluded in 1945. While the Soviet Union's communist influence spread to Eastern Europe, Western Europe backed capitalist democracies. Eastern Europe started moving toward Western European ideas when the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991. This led to democratic governments, a free-market economy, private property, and the EU. A growing number of nations with democratic governments and promising industrial sectors have joined the EU.

The Cold War's Legacies

There was a pressing need for some kind of European collaboration after WWII, which claimed more than 40 million lives. The majority of European nations particularly Germany found themselves in a condition of physical and economic destruction. The Soviet Union's confrontation with America helped define its new global stance, which in turn determined the rise of the United States as a dominating international player. Internal issues, such as increased social discontent, together with an outdated, uncompetitive industrial sector and large expenditures, resulted in the Soviet Union losing power and several former Soviet nations becoming independent.

USSR

Integration Process

• The primary concern in the immediate aftermath of the Soviet Union's dissolution was the creation of new nation-states in Europe and several other entities that had been a member of the Eastern Bloc but had not been merged into the USSR.

• The Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957, to form the European Economic Community (EEC), as a result of the six nations' decision to expand the economic agreement to other economic sectors.

• Additionally, the European Economic Community (EEC) welcomed the newly developing democracies of Southern Europe in the 1980s. Political stability and economic growth were brought about by the EEC's expansion into the Mediterranean area of Europe.

• After World War II the process of European integration started soon. The European Coal and Steel Community, or European Communities, acted as the primary source of cooperation.

• The later single internal market was finally established in 1992 when the European Union (EU) was formalized (treaty signed in Maastricht).

-EU flag

Description-EU flag waving in front of the European Parliament

In What Sense is Europe a ‘Union’?

A common philosophy is a significant contributor to the cohesion of the European nations. Liberal democracies that are mostly Christian include Germany, France, Great Britain, and others. They cherish freedom and have a representative government.

Free travel between countries of the then-smaller Europe was initially proposed in the 1985 Schengen Agreement. The 1997 Amsterdam Treaty continued and strengthened this, and as a result, the 25 members are now practically borderless with their partners.

There is undoubtedly, and more so than ever before, considerable economic unity among the member of the European Union.

Following the launch of the Euro as currency was a ground-breaking move that facilitated commerce, reduced prices, and served as a representation of the strong relationships that exist between the countries. The Lisbon Treaty was signed in 2007. This was significantly leading to political and social union.

What Divides Contemporary Europe?

• Protectionism is the most pronounced anti-European approach used to defend their national industries and guarantee their economic and productive destiny in countries like France.

• The long-running dispute between inter-governmental and supranationalism rages on, and although some countries will do anything to preserve their independence, others would be happy to join a European Union-run federation.

• Russia hasn't joined the union yet, and it's debatable whether they'll ever want to. While Germany's supremacy in bailout negotiations and its sway over financial policy in financially distressed nations like Greece.

• On the other hand, Italy, being a powerful country in the EU, is still left in a position where other countries determine its monetary policy. While some need this control, others find it to be problematic.

Cold War Comparisons

Numerous constructive efforts have been taken in the direction of integration and a real union of states. The most prosperous of these is undoubtedly economic, and even if the Eurozone is presently experiencing a crisis, the bailouts and regular gatherings of the major European economic powers serve as proof of the currency's enormous significance. Maybe the primary debate right now is between national sovereignty and supranational governance, and maybe the next 20 years will determine if “Europe” survives in its current form.

European Parliament

Inside the European Parliament`s headquarter, located in Strasbourg, France, you can visit the hemicycle. Shot while a commission was debating, the panorama of the chamber show the left-sided deputy, the right-sided deputes, the European Commission, the Council, and at the center, the President of the Parliament. You can also see the 28 flags of the EU member states, the EU flag with the yellow stars and behind the windows a the top of the photography, the translators translating instantly the 24 official languages of the Union.

Conclusion

To summarise, Europe is much closer compared to 1991. Many of the formerly difficult Eastern nations are now recognized members of the international community, and the amount of collaboration between governments is unparalleled. A significant change is that neither the United States nor modern Russia and Europe are as involved as they once were. Thus, more than 50 years after its inception, the EU represents a rare worldwide example of true state integration, with 450 million people residing in 27 nations. While there are still some lags in political and social integration.

FAQs

Q1. Which concept best describes European unification?

Ans. The role of institutions in the development of European integration is emphasized by institutionalism. New institutionalism, which emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, has subsequently been used to describe European integration.

Q2. Who is considered the father of European integration?

Ans. Jean Monnet has earned the title “The Father of Europe” from many who believe that the European Coal and Steel Community, is the foundation of the modern European Union, thanks in large part to his inventive and trailblazing efforts in the 1950s.

Q3. What happened once the Cold War ended?

Ans. The Cold War ends brought a significant increase in liberal democracies in Eastern Europe and Economic stability while in Western Europe it leads to the separation of the USSR, Meanwhile, in other regions of the world, it leads to state failure.