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Enrichment Activity

The European Union Background

Today a person can travel across most of Europe without carrying a passport or being stopped at each border. This was not always the case, however. A series of treaties between many of the nations in Europe have removed passport checks, labor restrictions, and trade barriers. These treaties culminated in the Treaty on European Union (also called the Maastricht Treaty) in 1991, which created the European Union (EU) in 1993. The EU includes most of the nations of western Europe, as well as many eastern European countries.

Because the European Union is the result of a series of treaties, its political structure can be difficult to understand, even for Europeans. In 2004 a constitution was written for the EU, at least partly to address some of the confusion about its structure and functions. Ratification by all EU member nations is needed, however, before the constitution can go into effect.

til For Investigation Conduct research to learn more about the structure and functions

of the European Union. As you read, look for answers to the following questions:

1. Defining Is the European Union a federation, a confederation, or something else?

2. Specifying When nations become members of the EU, do they retain their national sovereignty? Explain.

~ 3. Listing What are the three maJ'or criteria that countries must meet ~ 'K before they can join the EU? g. u

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Enrichment Activity continued

4. Identifying What are the three main "institutions" of the EU?

5. Comparing and Contrasting Which two institutions share legislative power? What is the difference between these two institutions?

6. Differentiating Are the Council of the European Union and the European Council the same thing? Explain.

7. Describing What is the executive branch of the EU? What role does it have in the legislative process?

8. Explaining What institutional changes would the proposed EU constitution make?

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Name ___________________ Date _____ Class ____ _

Activity Compare and contrast the political

structure of the European Union and the political structure of the United States. Create organizational charts that illustrate the similarities and dif-ferences between the two structures, using drawing tools on your computer. Print out and incorporate the organiza-tion charts into a bulletin board display about the European Union. Include other information from your research that you found particularly interest-ing or that helped you understand the structure and functions of the European Union.

• Some of the basic principles of the American political system are indi-vidual rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, limited government, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Create a chart that (1) defines each of these principles, and (2) indicates how each is incor-porated in the political system of the European Union.

• In 2005 France and the Netherlands voted to reject the proposed EU con-stitution. Working with a partner, research the pros and cons of adopt-ing the constitution. Then conduct a mock debate in which one of you

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Assessment Checklist Assess your bulletin board display using the checklist below:

D Attractive, creative, and eye-catching

D Design is well thought out (neither too crowded nor too bare)

D Ideas are presented clearly and flow logically from one to the next

D Organizational charts effectively illustrate the political structures ofthe European Union and the United States

D Illustrations, text, and other design elements work together to present information about the European Union in an interesting and informative way

presents arguments for, and the other presents arguments against, ratifying the constitution.

• Some of the debate over the EU constitution resembles the debate over the U.s. Constitution before it was adopted in 1789. Research the controversy over the EU con-stitution, as well as the debate that preceded the ratification of the U.s. Constitution. What similarities do you see? What role do "states' rights" play in both cases? Write a brief report comparing the debates over the two constitutions.

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