Europeanization is an umbrella term much used to describe a series of changes undergone by countries to adhere to the European Union and generally increase their standards of living. However specialized economists have yet to reach a common definition of Europeanization, the process ought to be analyzed from the perspective of the five major changes it generates: ? Europeanization as changes in external territorial boundaries; ? Europeanization as the development of institutions of governance at the European level;? Europeanization as central penetration of national and sub-national systems of governance; Europeanization as exporting forms of political organization and governance that are typical and distinct for Europe beyond the European territory; ? Europeanization as a political project aiming at a unified and politically stronger Europe. Spain commenced their Europeanization process with the fear of losing, or at least minimizing, their ways, morals, and cultural values, values that have basically defined Spain for centuries.
The dispute between the new European ways and the consecrated Spanish ways took the form of a debate between supporters of Hispanicization and advocates of Europeanization.The main disclaimers of Europeanization were the conservatives who argued that Spain was not yet ready for a complete swift towards capitalization. Furthermore, they argued that the country could not yet migrate from an agrarian country to a massively industrialized one. The arguments of the conservatives were defeated by the advantages of Spain’s engaging in Europeanization and in 1986, the country became part of the European Union.
Acceptance to the EU brought Spain numerous financial benefits from the organization and supported the country’s development.Since 1986, Spain has modernized their social, economic and political structures, and more importantly, has managed to establish goals that are common to those of the European Union. Differences also occurred in the view points of Spain and the EU, the most relevant one being portrayed in 2003, when Spain refused to engage in military actions in Iraq, as opposed to the United Kingdom and the United States of America who joined forces and went to war. Furthermore, another element that created tensions between Spain and the European Union regarded the European Convention, considered unacceptable by the Spanish government.
Currently, the primary dispute between Spain and the EU regards the organization’s expansion towards Eastern Europe by the acceptance of ten new members. This dissatisfaction, combined with the proposed support package for the poorest EU members (to assist them in their preparation for joining the monetary union) reveals the country’s safe and conservative nature. By the tenth year since the accession to EU, Spain had undergone major changes and had became an extremely modernized country with a strong political and economical system. They were beneficiaries of substantial financial subsidies and easily adhered to the monetary unification.
However, currently, Spain representatives pressure the organization into granting them more benefits and point out that the country’s goals are no longer the goals of the union. The EU argues that Spain lacks in behaving like a member of an international community and that they also failed to produce a worthy representative in the EU as well as a good internal leader. Germany’s position in the European Union is highly different from that of Spain’s, generally because the latter is a country accepted to the EU, whereas Germany is one of the six founding countries.Germany actively participated to the foundation of the European Union and is currently a pillar of the multinational organization.
During the past decades, Germany has reached an impressive level of social, economic as well as political development, playing a central part in the process of European integration. Significant about Germany in the European Union is its constant presence in all aspects of the EU and integration process, from economy, diplomacy and politics to military interventions.However, despite their consecrated role and importance within the union, Germany does not make complete use of its power by engaging in an explicit leadership, fact that made economists name Germany the “gentle giant. ” This active-passive participation to the international events has generated diverse reactions from citizens of Germany, some agreeing with the policy adopted by the country’s representatives, others disagreeing with it.
For instance, foreign minister of Germany, Joschka Fischer believes that the country ought to increase their awareness regarding their economical, social and political strength in the world.In doing so, Germany would became more motivated to engage in a large series of global activities, including trade, diplomacy, human rights or military actions. A counter argument of the previously mentioned opinions is given by the immigration factor. Due to an increased rate of the immigration phenomenon in Germany, the country might be faced with a downfall of the economy.
The economical decrease would not be major nor would it create significant internal losses, however the immigration phenomenon and its potential effects cannot be neglected.The immigration phenomenon represents a core aspect of integration as it generally tends to increase once the country becomes part of the European Union, and moreover because it can have opposite effects and can generate various public reactions. For instance, after Spain accessed to the EU, it did not exercise any control over the immigration phenomenon, and its increased level brought about a significant economic growth. At the other pole stands Germany, who has always promoted a strict immigration policy and now, as the phenomenon tends to increase, fears economic downfalls.
A significant aspect of Germany’s Europeanization lies in the country’s historical background and refers to the efforts Germany made to overcome the perception created by Adolf Hitler and the Natzi during the Wold War II. This brings about yet another difference between Spain and Germany, as the first was reticent to adopting new values, whereas Germany gladly embraced the anti-natzism, Christian values and European unity. All in all, Germany is one of the strongest global economies but does not assert its entire power in its international relationships.Being a founding member of the European Union, Germany’s social, economical and political values are considered pillars of the European community; pillars rather difficult to match.
Even so, Germany has constantly been challenged by France, another founding member of the EU, the relationship between the countries generating constant competition between the two countries on all levels, starting from education and healthcare up to economy and politics. France has been a strong member of the European Union ever since its formation and has been the beneficiary of numerous financial subsidies that supported the country’s development.The process of Europeanization had some major effects upon France, the most relevant of which being a change in the isolationist policy adopted by the country. The second major change brought about by Europeanization was generated by the implementation of the Single European Act which drastically modified several French nationalized industries.
The direct effect of the SEA was the disappearance of monopoly and significant growth in the quality of the services offered. However obvious the beneficial effects Europeanization has had upon France, the country’s citizens are still reticent to total compliance with the EU bills and acts.Proof of this stands the negative response of the 2005 referendum to adopt the EU Constitution. All in all, Europeanization refers to a willingly accepted cooperation between the countries of the old continent on all fields of social, economic, political and military aspects of life.
There are numerous elements to be considered when commencing the Europeanization process, such as the country’s identity, strong for all three countries presented. What brings closer France and Spain was their reticence to completely accept the EU norms and values, whereas Germany embraced them in the attempt to renounce their natzi perception.Another issue to be considered was the immigration phenomenon that can have various repercussions in different countries. Nevertheless, the process of Europeanization has had numerous beneficial effects upon all Spain, Germany and France, sustaining their social, economical and political development.
As to the future of the European Union, it is expected to continue its expansion, however at a lower rate that the past few years. This is generally due to the dissatisfaction of old members regarding the acceptance of too many new and insufficiently developed members.
