Pro-Europeanism

European Union

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Pro-Europeanism is a political category applied to a person, a party or an organisation supporting the idea of European integration, mainly though not exclusively through the European Union (EU). Pro-Europeans or pro-Europeanists generally support further integration, specifically in the context of political argument over the current and future status of the EU and its policies.

The pro-European approach

Many pro-Europeans believe that strength in unity is particularly important in today's multipolar world. They argue that a united and independent Europe has become increasingly necessary, while a politically divided one would bring disadvantages in many areas, including the economic, cultural, political, social, scientific, diplomatic and military arenas. A major argument is the relative small size and importance of the individual European countries with respect to the current and rising powers on the world scale. The individual countries, they argue, would then have limited geopolitical influence and would be unable to represent their own interests effectively. On the other hand, a united Europe, with a population and an economy larger than that of the United States, would make a viable partner, or competitor, whose opinion and interests would be taken into account on the world stage.

Pro-European arguments often refer to what they see as the benefits of the EU to its member states. They argue that citizens enjoy benefits such as the right to free movement across the EEA and social benefits such as employment rights, and consumers benefit from greater choice and guaranteed standards. Such cost–benefit assessments are not generally the only arguments to motivate them, as they also feel they belong to a community of people with common bonds. Further European integration and co-operation is seen as a peacemaking force.

Although pro-Europeans may not be satisfied with every aspect of the present organisation and workings of the EU institutions, they generally argue that the solution to any remaining problems lies not in destroying what has been built, but in pushing for improvements in terms of unity, transparency and democracy.

There is criticism of the term by certain individuals who claim that the EU is not Europe and thus, the term "Pro-Europeanism" is a misnomer.

Political parties in the EU member states

Outside the EU

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP)". The Democratic Society. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  2. ↑ Ton Notermans (January 2001). Social Democracy and Monetary Union. Berghahn Books. p. 203. ISBN 978-1-57181-806-5.
  3. ↑ "Austria's Freedom Party sees vote rise". BBC News. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  4. ↑ Nathaniel Copsey; Tim Haughton (2009). The JCMS Annual Review of the European Union in 2008. John Wiley & Sons. p. 56. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  5. ↑ Richard Davis Anderson (2001). "Postcommunism and the Theory of Democracy". Princeton University Press. p. 147. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Donatella M. Viola (2015). Routledge Handbook of European Elections. Routledge. p. 639. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  7. ↑ Claudia Hefftler; et al. (2015). The Palgrave Handbook of National Parliaments and the European Union. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 286]. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
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