European Union Policies: Impact on Economy, Society, and Environment
European Union Policies
The European Union has developed its own policies that are the basis of the economic union, and that articulate their support for the political and social structure. The Rome Treaty established common policies to achieve economic integration. The agricultural policy, commercial policy, transport policy, and competition policy have been complemented with other policies and actions taken by the Community institutions.
Agriculture: Common Agricultural Policy
The Common Agricultural Policy is a cornerstone in the construction of European economic unity since the Treaty of Rome. There are two objectives: to increase production to meet the demand of the European population, and to ensure a level of income and living for the agrarian population. The Common Agricultural Policy has established measures that seek to modernize the agricultural sector’s structural imbalances.
Common Fisheries Policy
The policy aims for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources. It fixes a maximum number of catches for the different species and between different countries. Quota agreements are negotiated with other countries so that the fishing fleet of European countries can fish in their waters.
Social Policy and Citizens’ Rights
Progress in the social sphere of EU policies has been slower than those made in other market areas. The two pillars of social policy are the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, and the European Social Fund (ESF), whose political impetus and financial contribution have led to numerous initiatives in Europe, especially to address the increasingly high level of unemployment in Europe, the most severe challenge affronting European society. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU is based on the principles of dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity, citizenship, and justice. It recognizes the rights of EU citizens to free movement, the right of residence, the rights to vote and be elected in municipal elections and the European Parliament, regardless of their nationality, and the right to diplomatic and consular protection.
Common Commercial Policy
An exclusive competition policy that has allowed the Union to achieve a customs union. Tariffs on trade within the EU have been removed, and trade agreements with third countries of the Union and all its members have been regulated, establishing the necessary tariffs and agreeing on common export and import policies.
Regional Policy
The concern for regional policy appeared as expressed in the Treaty of Rome, which expresses the desire to reduce differences between the various regions and the backwardness of the less-favored ones. The current objectives of regional policy today are convergence and regional competitiveness. To finance its policies and actions, Structural Funds act: ERDF, together with the Cohesion Fund and the Solidarity Fund. The Lisbon Strategy focuses on the economics of knowledge, research, development and innovation, human capital, and enterprise development.
Transport Policy
The common market and free movement of goods demanded from the outset a common transport policy. It establishes common rules for all transport performed with origin in a member state and across the territory. It fixes the necessary measures to improve transport safety and conditions so that non-resident carriers may operate transport services nationwide.
Competition Policy
Ensures the proper functioning of a European economic space based on the laws of the market. It is articulated on five axes: prohibition of practices between firms that prevent or distort competition; a ban on a dominant position for the common benefit; state aid to companies or sectors to avoid distorting competition; preventive control of concentrations of European dimension; the liberalization of sectors where public companies or companies compete, sometimes with member states’ interests.
Common Foreign and Security Policy
It involves defining, in the long term, a security policy according to the shared values and fundamental interests of the member states and contributing to maintaining and strengthening peace, according to the United Nations. Through this policy, it participates in humanitarian operations worldwide and offers the state military forces for crisis management. Key member states allocate resources, setting actions and common positions.
Environmental Policy
Highlights include:
- Climate change
- Nature and biodiversity
- Environment and health
- Management of natural resources and waste material
The precautionary principle guides environmental policy. The European Environment Agency is responsible for providing reliable information. The global dimension of environmental issues and their importance has led to coining the concept of sustainable development, which has been added to its environmental policy.
The Politics of Education
The creation of the European Higher Education Area aims at the convergence of university education in member countries and promotes the recognition and movement of students and professionals. There are also specific programs for the mobility of students and teachers; the best known is the Erasmus program. Other policies exist, such as research and technological development or cooperation policy.