8. a) Compare Regionalism in Europe and South Asia
Introduction
Regionalism refers to the process where countries within a specific region cooperate on economic, political, and security issues. The European Union (EU) in Europe and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in South Asia are two key examples of regional integration.
While European regionalism is highly institutionalized, leading to economic and political integration, South Asian regionalism remains weak due to political conflicts, economic disparities, and security tensions.
Comparison of Regionalism in Europe and South Asia
| Factors | European Union (EU) | South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | Evolved from the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957, later becoming the EU (1993) | SAARC was established in 1985 with limited economic and political integration |
| Economic Integration | The EU has a single market, common currency (Euro), and customs union | SAARC lacks deep economic integration; intra-regional trade is below 5% |
| Political Integration | The EU has a supranational Parliament and Commission | SAARC has no centralized authority for policymaking |
| Security Cooperation | EU promotes collective security through NATO and defense policies | SAARC lacks security cooperation due to India-Pakistan tensions |
| Key Challenges | Brexit, migration crisis, economic disparities | Political rivalry, terrorism, lack of economic connectivity |
Key Differences Between EU and SAARC
- EU has strong legal and institutional frameworks, whereas SAARC functions on voluntary cooperation.
- EU has eliminated border controls under the Schengen Agreement, while South Asian countries maintain strict borders.
- SAARC is heavily affected by India-Pakistan conflicts, limiting cooperation.
Conclusion: The EU is a model of deep regional integration, while SAARC struggles with internal divisions and political tensions. For SAARC to succeed, greater economic and security cooperation is necessary.
8. b) Amsterdam Treaty (1997)
Introduction
The Amsterdam Treaty, signed in 1997 and effective in 1999, was a key reform treaty of the European Union (EU). It aimed to enhance the efficiency, democratic legitimacy, and social policies of the EU while preparing for the expansion of the Union.
Key Features of the Amsterdam Treaty
- Increased Power of the European Parliament
- Strengthened the co-decision procedure, giving Parliament more power in EU law-making.
- Enhanced democratic accountability in the EU decision-making process.
- Reforms in EU Foreign and Security Policy
- Established the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to improve the EU’s global role.
- Strengthened EU’s role in peacekeeping and crisis management.
- Migration and Schengen Integration
- Integrated the Schengen Agreement into EU law, allowing borderless travel among member states.
- Increased cooperation on asylum policies, immigration, and border security.
- Employment and Social Policy
- Introduced a stronger commitment to job creation and workers’ rights.
- Expanded EU action on social inclusion and gender equality.
- Institutional Reforms for Enlargement
- Simplified decision-making to prepare for the 2004 and 2007 expansions, which added 12 new countries.
- Increased qualified majority voting (QMV) in the Council of the EU, reducing the need for unanimous decisions.
Impact of the Amsterdam Treaty
✅ Strengthened EU governance and Parliament’s role.
✅ Boosted EU foreign policy coordination.
✅ Expanded Schengen Area and migration policies.
❌ Failed to fully reform EU institutions, leading to further reforms in the Nice Treaty (2001) and Lisbon Treaty (2009).
Conclusion: The Amsterdam Treaty played a key role in modernizing the EU, improving decision-making, migration policies, and foreign relations. However, further reforms were needed to address institutional weaknesses and governance challenges.
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