Deepening Of European Integration Research Articles

The impact of EU law on national legal systems and the world order

The article analyzes the impact of EU law on national legal systems and the world order. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the EU began active work on strengthening its authority and influence. In the 1990s, the EU (whose members also belonged to the Council of Europe) made the ratification of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (with Protocols) (European Convention on Human Rights) a necessary condition for EU membership, which involved a lot of preparatory work in the field of human rights for candidate countries. The founding treaties of the EU, in contrast to ordinary international treaties, established a new legal order with its own institutions, in favor of which states limited their sovereign rights in increasingly wide areas, the subjects of which are not only member states, but also their citizens. The active development of integration processes taking place within the framework of the EU leads to further convergence and closer interaction of the national legal systems of the member states with the EU, as a result of which the circle of legal relations, which are legally regulated by the norms of EU law, is expanding. A key role in the proper functioning and implementation of these norms (EU law) is played by the specific procedure of their implementation into the national law of the member states, which is understood as the process of transposition of the norms of EU law, including the creation of the order and procedures for their introduction into the national legal systems of the member states. With the deepening of European integration, the constitutionalization of EU law began: the founding treaties evolved from a set of agreements binding only on member states to founding treaties that provide the basis of a single legal regime. This regime grants rights and imposes obligations on all public and natural persons on the territory of the EU, since the norms of the founding treaties have direct effect and absolute supremacy, forming a kind of integration legal system. Currently, there is a close connection between EU law and the national legislation of the EU member states. The impact of EU law on the national legal systems of candidate countries for EU membership is indisputable. These trends suggest that while the emergence of Community (now Union) law has given rise to a new legal order, distinct from national law, these historically distinct legal orders now form a common legal system.

마크롱의 드골주의 노선 추구와 대서양동맹의 갈등

Emmanuel Macron, representing the newly formed party 'En Marche' and advocating for centrist policies, successfully won the presidency in 2017, gaining popularity among the French population. After taking office, President Macron implemented economically right-leaning policies while also bolstering welfare programs as part of an expansion of left-leaning social initiatives. In terms of foreign policy, he positioned himself as an ideological successor to President de Gaulle, who led the Fifth Republic of France. He strategically utilized the transatlantic alliance's division caused by President Trump in executing his foreign policy, aiming to establish a 'New European Order' with fellow Europeans. Additionally, after the UK's Brexit referendum, he worked towards expanding France's influence in Europe, following the traditional Gaullist path that lies at the core of French right-wing ideology.
 This study analyzes how President Macron effectively demonstrated the strengthening of France's position, in line with the principles of Gaullism, amid the shifting dynamics of the European order. This was achieved through the deepening of European integration, the collaborative construction of Europe by Europeans, the enhancement of strategic autonomy, and the prioritization of security within the EU over NATO. Ultimately, President Macron incorporated a significant portion of the Gaullist approach into his foreign policy, aiming for an independent and self-reliant European policy for France. He sought to implement this Gaullist approach through the EU, working to empower France to make decisions and take action independently in its relations with the United States. This study illustrates his efforts to enable the EU to operate autonomously in matters of diplomacy, security, and defense.

Historical significance of Germany, France and Belgium in the creation of the European Union

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need to analyse the positive experience of European countries for its use in Ukraine’s foreign policy when participating in international associations, in relations with the member states of the European Union. The purpose of the study is to investigate the role of the foreign policies of Germany, France, and Belgium in the development of the European Union, and to conduct a thorough assessment of the results of such policies. To achieve this goal, such methods as dialectical materialism, factor discourse analysis, deduction and induction, analysis and synthesis, system analysis, structural and functional analysis, and the comparative method were used. The paper examines the goals and objectives, the role and place of three states: Germany, France, and Belgium in the history of the creation of the European Union. The interests of each of the states are characterised, the specifics of their national policy and its impact on the deepening of European integration are determined. The approaches of countries to the organisation of the European Union, their common and distinctive features are analysed. The specifics of relations between Germany, France, and Belgium in the process of their cooperation are determined. It is stated that these countries have become the leading initiators of deepening integration in Europe. The study shows that relations between France and Germany in the late 20th century became an example of cooperation in European security issues. It is established that France is the author of successfully implemented projects and approved laws and regulations in the European Union. It is noted that despite the small territory, Belgium exerted significant political influence, and the Benelux Union became an example of economic unification in the process of creating the European Union. The conclusions obtained contribute to solving practical issues related to the development of Ukraine’s own integration processes and the protection of its own interests in building foreign policy. The material can serve as a basis for the educational process in the training of political scientists, international specialists, and in the work on scientific literature

Relationship between EU law and national law in the context of case law of judicial bodies

ing from the membership in the EU responsibly and to assist in carrying out tasks flowing from the Treaties and to achieve the Union´s objectives in accordance with the principle of sincere cooperation. This scientific thesis points out the responsibility of Member States to fulfil their obligations in bona fide in accordance with principle pacta suntservanda and it refers to well established case law of the Court of Justice of the EU clarifying the application primacy of EU law over national laws. At the same time it opens the discussion about decisions of constitutional courts related to the primacy of EU law in some EU Member States, in particular in Germany and Poland. This scientific thesis points out the significance of EU law in the process of further deepening of European integration and promoting rule of law values common to the EU Member States.

The role of populist parties in spreading Euroscepticism

The aim of the paper was to analyse the current level of Euroscepticism in the European Union, to identify the current challenges populist parties face in the Euroscepticism realities and promotion. The main method of research was the observation method, which, together with the comparative method, revealed the selected issues of the paper. The conducted research has shown that the rise of populist parties primarily reflects a response to a wide range of rapid cultural changes undermining the core values and practices of Western societies. At the same time, the pandemic and changes in public consciousness have led to a decline in the activity of political parties and the introduction of Eurosceptic ideas per se. As part of the research, we have argued that the deepening of European integration is not perceived positively by member states as well, given the unnatural order of legal relations in the union. The findings will also require comparison with the results of the forthcoming EU elections, which has been identified as a roadmap for further author's research.

EU REGIONAL POLICY: POSSIBILITIES OF IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE

The question of the possibilities of implementation of the toolkit of EU regional policy in the national economy has been studied. It is substantiated that at the current stage, the question of the possibility of implementing EU regional policy instruments is being updated, which is connected with military actions and the need to restore the infrastructure of the regions, which requires the accumulation of resources and a balanced management policy. It has been proven that in modern conditions, regional policy becomes a powerful tool for spatial regulation of socio-economic development, especially in those areas in which the effect of market levers is limited (social, environmental, scientific and technical). Attention is focused on the fact that the gradual increase in the budget allocated by the EU for regional policy indicates the importance and priority of the implementation of regional policy measures. It was determined that the concept of regional policy is based on strengthening the role of territories in managing the socio-economic and innovative development of EU member states, which involves the support of individual projects that contribute to regional development, cohesion and deepening of European integration, as well as the achievement of strategic priorities. At the same time, each member state implements its own regional development policy on its territory and provides local self-government bodies with opportunities for development. It is substantiated that the primary task for Ukraine is to improve the principles of building regional policy, taking into account the impact of global challenges, realistically assessing the possibilities of implementing positive international practices and standards that will reduce the level of economic imbalance and disproportionality. The experience of the EU countries proves that the use of effective forms of cooperation, i.e. the compatibility function of regions, is important in reducing the disproportionality of regional development.

The Future of the European Union After Brexit

The article presents the changes that have taken place since Britain’s decision to leave the Union. This process, which began with the organization of the Referendum in 2016, had a negative impact on both the EU’s domestic and foreign policy, as well as its micro- and macroeconomics. Doubts have been raised about the danger of a total or partial disintegration of the Community, as well as the possibility of the future EU development at several speeds. The question is whether, after Brexit, the gap in living standards between Member States and regions will begin to narrow or will there continue to be a confrontation between small/large in territory and poor/rich in economic development member states. The weakening of the European Union’s political influence worldwide with regard to international organizations (UN, G7, G20, Commonwealth of Nations – composed of 53 English-speaking Member States supporting the Queen of England, etc.) has been noted. The strengthening of Euroscepticism among the citizens of Europe has been noted, as well as the danger of fatigue before the deepening of European integration and the possibility of future EU enlargements with new member states (for example, with the countries of the Western Balkans).

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЇ АГРАРНИХ ВІДНОСИН В БОЛГАРІЇ ПІСЛЯ ВСТУПУ ДО ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКОГО СОЮЗУ (2007–2019)

The article reveals the peculiarities of the development of industrial relations in the agricultural sector of the Bulgarian economy in terms of its membership in the European Union. Thanks to the involvement of a wide range of statistical sources, it is determined that modern Bulgarian society is experiencing profound changes in socio-economic development, the response to which has brought the Bulgarian agricultural sector to a competitive level. It is determined that the agricultural sector of the Bulgarian economy had a rather difficult way of adapting production relations to European requirements. At the same time, Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union stimulated the development of agriculture, contributed to the introduction of the latest agro-technical production technologies, rational land use, improvement of agricultural products. The main trends in the development of the agricultural sector of the Bulgarian economy after the country’s accession to the EU and the transformation processes in the sector are analyzed. In addition, as a result of an in-depth analysis, it was proved that the Bulgarian agricultural sector on the verge of joining the EU had a number of problems that hindered the increase of its productivity and profitability. Following Bulgaria’s accession to the European Economic Area, the country had to take a number of measures to address the above-mentioned problem. In particular, it consisted in the adaptation of agricultural legislation, state support measures to European norms and standards of agricultural production to European norms and requirements. The deepening of European integration and the further accession of Bulgaria to the EU accelerated the transformation of agricultural production relations and the modernization of agriculture, which was accompanied by the adaptation and harmonization of the agricultural sector to increase its productivity.

ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКИЙ СОЮЗ І ВЕЛИКА БРИТАНІЯ У ПОШУКАХ НОВИХ ФОРМ СПІВПРАЦІ Рецензія на монографію А. В. Грубінка, А. Ю. Мартинова «Європейський Союз після BREXIT: продовження історії» (Тернопіль–Київ, 2021. 258 с.)

ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКИЙ СОЮЗ І ВЕЛИКА БРИТАНІЯ У ПОШУКАХ НОВИХ ФОРМ СПІВПРАЦІ Рецензія на монографію А. В. Грубінка, А. Ю. Мартинова «Європейський Союз після BREXIT: продовження історії» (Тернопіль–Київ, 2021. 258 с.)

Theorizing institutional change and governance in European responses to the Covid-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT After initial responses that appeared to be a disappointing replay of previous crises, EU governance in the Covid-19 crisis may very well result in paradigmatic change toward deeper European integration in some areas, incremental change in others, or even reversal toward dis-integration in yet others. It is therefore important to evaluate what changed in terms of policies and who governed in what ways during the pandemic. This concluding article does so by building on the other articles in this SI. It first sheds light on policy change during the crisis using a historical institutionalist framework, then on governance by asking which EU actors, intergovernmental or supranational, drove integration and how, using rational choice and discursive institutionalist frameworks. Finally, it also considers the effects of post-functionalist politicization to elucidate the more positive dynamics of interaction among EU actors during the pandemic, in contrast to the Eurozone.

The Paradox of Securitization within Uncertainty and European Integration

This article is a contribution to security sciences which underlines, on the basis of the multidisciplinary approach, the importance of skill levels in relation to the resistance to the securitization of security issues in connection with the development of European integration. It enriches the field of security management using the method of securitization as well as the the perspective of political science, sociology, and economic theory. Through the example of French referendum on the European constitutional treaty, it demonstrates the importance of skill level for the susceptibility of different population groups to the securitization of the topics of the campaign, namely within the context of the deepening of European integration, which respectively threatens certainty and increases uncertainty. The paper also draws attention to the possibility of emergence of the so-called paradox of securitization.

Quality of governance and varieties of capitalism in the European Union: core and periphery division?

ABSTRACTA growing body of literature suggests that the quality of governance has a significant effect on economic development. Investigations highlight that the quality of government institutions varies substantially in the European Union. These differences raise the question of whether they comply with the various models of capitalism. However, the various approaches of institutional analyses either neglect the role of the state or consider only the welfare function and the extent of state intervention. This article uses the databases of the World Bank and the World Economic Forum to classify the members of the European Union into clusters based on the quality of governance. Cluster analyses find notably clear-cut clusters in both cases. These clusters do not coincide with the usual varieties of capitalism; instead, they indicate a gap between the northern and western vs. the southern and eastern European countries, which is a core vs. periphery division. This gap indicates a long-lasting challenge in the deepening of European integration.

Convergence, divergence and policy: Portugal in the European Union

This article deals with the connections between economic policy and economic convergence and divergence in the European Union, by looking at the case of Portugal, still today one of its least developed member states. European and domestic economic policies changed across the period here studied, shifting from an emphasis on programmes aimed at fostering investment in infrastructure and knowledge, such as the structural and regional development funds, to policies giving greater relevance to fiscal and financial equilibria. This shift in policies was followed by economic divergence. As the negative correlation between growth and monetarist policies became increasingly salient, electoral shifts and governmental change led to an overhaul of economic policy. One-size-fits-all European monetary policies lowered the potential for integration, whereas a higher level of domestic participation may lead to the opposite effect, opening up the prospect of higher growth and a return to a slower, but more balanced economic convergence. The experience of the periphery may therefore have lessons for the deepening of European integration.

A Vehicle for Post-National Transformation or an Instrument for Interstate Cooperation? European Integration in Slovakia’s Secondary Education Textbooks

Purpose: In light of the public resistance towards the deepening of European integration (EI) and the role that education is anticipated to have in supporting the process, this paper examines the conceptualisation of EI in lower secondary textbooks for History, Geography and Civics. Specifically, the paper asks whether EI is conceived of as a vehicle for the post-national transformation of Europe or as an instrument for interstate cooperation. Design: Drawing on the insights of EI theories and content analysis, the paper adopts a qualitative approach. Applying this approach, the textbooks currently used in Slovakia’s lower secondary schools are analysed as a case study. Findings: The findings are inconclusive with regard to the research question. Indeed, while the sources are positive about EI, the findings suggest some problematic aspects in terms of how the textbooks analysed conceive the nature of the integration process. Research implications: The approach taken in this paper could be replicated on a larger scale in other countries. Practical implications: Curricula and textbook designers ought to consider how to include a critical discussion on the deepening of EI in secondary education.

EUROPEAN LESSONS OF DECENTRALIZATION

The role of the state in the processes of European integration and decentralization is analyzed, the factors of threats for it are determined. The following common features of decentralization processes in the EU member states are highlighted as strengthening the role of the regional level, the need to choose between different models of separation of powers between different levels of government (exclusive or joint authority) and the search for ways to adequately finance transferred powers. Decentralization also actualizes the problem of territorial inequality and patronage for European countries. It is proved that the national state is a central actor in the process of decentralization, despite the fact that this process creates certain threats to the state itself. On the one hand, the EU as a supranational organization has already limited some aspects of the sovereignty of its member states, in particular, in the area of monetary policy. With the deepening of European integration, the powers of national states and in other areas are increasingly limited. On the other hand, the gradual increase in the share of powers conveyed by the state to decentralized and regional authorities further weakens its role. Moreover, the increasing influence of liberalism on state policy and the introduction of competition among the main providers of public services also limits the possibility of the state’s influence on its internal policies. Such a dynamics gives grounds for questioning the ability of states to effectively manage their territories. At the same time, it was noted that in most EU member states, the bodies of state power have long been the guarantor of national unity in both social and territorial terms. Such a “unity of opposites” (decentralization and centralization) is unlikely to change in the medium term.

EUROPEAN LESSONS OF DECENTRALIZATION

The role of the state in the processes of European integration and decentralization is analyzed, the factors of threats for it are determined. The fol- lowing common features of decentralization processes in the EU member states are highlighted as strengthening the role of the regional level, the need to choose between different models of separation of powers between different levels of go- vernment (exclusive or joint authority) and the search for ways to adequately fi- nance transferred powers. Decentralization also actualizes the problem of territo- rial inequality and patronage for European countries. It is proved that the national state is a central actor in the process of decentralization, despite the fact that this process creates certain threats to the state itself. On the one hand, the EU as a supranational organization has already limited some aspects of the sovereignty of its member states, in particular, in the area of monetary policy. With the deepening of European integration, the powers of national states and in other areas are in- creasingly limited. On the other hand, the gradual increase in the share of powers conveyed by the state to decentralized and regional authorities further weakens its role. Moreover, the increasing influence of liberalism on state policy and the introduction of competition among the main providers of public services also li- mits the possibility of the state’s influence on its internal policies. Such a dynamics gives grounds for questioning the ability of states to effectively manage their ter- ritories. At the same time, it was noted that in most EU member states, the bodies of state power have long been the guarantor of national unity in both social and territorial terms. Such a “unity of opposites” (decentralization and centralization) is unlikely to change in the medium term.

GERMANY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: FROM THE ECONOMIC LOCOMOTIVE TO POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

The article contains analysis of three interlinked topics: the European policy in Germany, an impact of European integration on internal political order of the country and modern state and perspectives of German euroscepticism. The German government has been a proactive leader of both the EU enlargement and deepening of European integration. The author considers the roots of the European policy in Germany and critically assesses its strengths and weaknesses. It is stressed that during the period of rapid growth of the EU in 1990s – beginning of 2000s Berlin played a significant role in the process. However, the crisis of the EU development which had been taking place since the first decade of 2000s remains to be a crucial reason for Germany to correct its European policy and leads to the appearance of unprecedented discourse of euroscepticism, which previously existed only in a form of marginalized narrative. The author presents an analysis of the reasons of German euroscepticism, its organizational structure, electoral support groups and some problems of its appearance and perspectives. Considering some unique characteristics of the German case, the author names such aspects as the absence of direct demands for exit, moderate character of articulated demands and organizational disunity. From the author’s point of view, euroscepticism is closely linked with nationalism, what especially stressed in the German case. The author concludes by saying about potential depletion of political and socio-economical agenda constructed by eurosceptics. It is stated that for German political elites the rise of euroscepticism is a factor which prompts them to rethink European policy and its further development.

Efficiency, Fairness, and Social Cohesion in Europe and the United States: Incomes, Hours of Work, and Equality with an Afterthought on Iceland

The paper discusses the European Union as a union of primarily small European states, a union whose parallel emphasis on efficiency and fairness, including deep respect for human rights, holds the key to Europe’s economic and social advances over the years. The paper shows that adjusting conventional economic indicators of living standards such as gross domestic product or gross national income per capita to reflect also social factors (such as hours of work and equality of income) places Europe ahead of the United States. Further, adjustments for education attainment and public health, as made by the United Nations Human Development Index, similarly favor Europe vis-a-vis the US. While expansion fatigue has temporarily slowed the momentum of the widening and deepening of European integration, Europe can expect to benefit from the accession of more small states to the EU. This will further advance the EU’s economic and social position in the world.

Поглиблення інтеграційних процесів в ЄС як відповідь на виклики політичної та фінансово-економічної кризи

У статті розглядаються пропозиції, висунуті нещодавно міністрами урядів Німеч-чини та Франції – З. Габріелем і Е. Макроном щодо радикально глибокої інтеграції дер-жав-членів єврозони. Сильніша єврозона має стати ядром поглиблення європейськоїінтеграції. Міністри пропонують максимально оновити архітектуру єврозони шляхомстворення її бюджету та забезпечення його власними джерелами наповнення, посилен-ня виконавчих повноважень за допомогою створення групи єврозони в ЄвропейськомуПарламенті та посади підзвітного їй члена Європейської Комісії, який має зосередитисвої зусилля на фіскальній політиці, а також економічному зростанні, інвестиціях тастворенні робочих місць. Міністри зазначають, що в ЄС мають знайти і втілити в життятакі засоби, за допомогою яких європейський спільний інтерес не буде більше відріз-нятись від національних інтересів держав-членів. Робиться висновок про те, що погли-блення європейської інтеграції, оновлення ЄС шляхом подальшого реформування йогоправової та інституційної систем вигідне для України, оскільки успішність внутрішніхреформ в Україні, вектор розвитку нашої держави, її цивілізаційний вибір значною мі-рою залежатимуть як від успішності проекту об’єднаної Європи в цілому, так і йогоключових елементів – єдиного внутрішнього ринку та єдиної європейської валюти.

Peculiarities of Human Capital Competitiveness Establishment in the Context of the Deepening of European Integration

The author has found out that human capital is a key element of social and economic development of the country. Emphasis in the article is placed on the fact that in the context of globalization and informatization human capital becomes a defining factor in the development of modern economic systems, without which no technical and economic progress is possible; that all the factors affecting the development of human capital should be divided into internal and external depending on the environment of their occurrence. The factor affecting the mobility of human capital is globalization, which is a steady increase in the interdependence of economies of individual countries and regions, as well as the formation of global markets, including the global labor market. Global labor market opens up new opportunities through technology and investment, increases mobility of workers, causes an increase in the level of competition between them. However, the processes of globalization dictates new requirements to the labor force in terms of its professionalism, mobility, level of new technologies knowledge and the like.