Deck 3: The Institutions and Policies of the European Union

Question 1

An organization is understood as "supranational" if it

A) brings together many countries.
B) is designed to reduce trade barriers.
C) has powers above those of nation-states.
D) is designed to eliminate nationalism.
E) allows passport-free travel between countries.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A process of sustained and institutionalized interaction among states and social actors that fosters a harmonization of policies is known as

A) inter-governmentalism.
B) supranationalism.
C) interdependence.
D) realism.
E) integration.

Answer 2

E

Question 3

The goals of the European Union include all of the following EXCEPT

A) decreasing negative effects of nationalism.
B) free trade.
C) a closer union of peoples.
D) eliminating interdependence.
E) formation of a common market.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was formed in the

A) 1920s.
B) 1950s.
C) 1960s.
D) 1970s.
E) 1980s.

Question 5

Functionalism suggests that European integration

A) would be quick and easy.
B) should start with integration in foreign policy,
C) would focus on tangible, limited goals.
D) would proceed with input from public opinion.
E) would only succeed if it was built on supranationalism.

Question 6

One of the "founders" of today's EU is

A) Jacques Delors.
B) Jean Monnet.
C) Margaret Thatcher.
D) Winston Churchill
E) Helmut Kohl.

Question 7

European "federalists" favor

A) powers to be devolved to individual countries.
B) an inter-governmental approach.
C) closer ties with the United States.
D) separation of powers within the EU.
E) more supranational powers for the EU.

Question 8

Margaret Thatcher

A) thought that European integration needed to proceed faster.
B) was an advocate of the euro.
C) was a powerful figure in the European Commission.
D) believed some aspects of European integration were too socialist in orientation.
E) worked to ensure that Great Britain would join the European Union.

Question 9

The Maastricht Treaty did all of the following EXCEPT

A) formally created the European Union.
B) formed a common market among its members.
C) created a Common Foreign and Security Policy.
D) established a timetable and criteria for the euro.
E) strengthened the powers of the European Parliament.

Question 10

The Maastricht Treaty was initially rejected by voters in

A) Denmark.
B) France.
C) Great Britain.
D) Spain.
E) Portugal.

Question 11

Which countries joined the EU in the 1990s?

A) Poland and Slovakia
B) Greece and Portugal
C) Spain and Portugal
D) Austria and Sweden
E) Switzerland and Slovenia

Question 12

The Lisbon Treaty does all of the following EXCEPT

A) changes voting procedures within the EU.
B) creates new positions with the EU.
C) recognizes opt-outs for certain countries.
D) admitted new countries into the eurozone.
E) increased powers for the European Parliament.

Question 13

The last country to ratify the Lisbon Treaty was

A) Ireland.
B) the Czech Republic.
C) France.
D) the Netherlands.
E) Great Britain.

Question 14

In order to join the eurozone, countries had to meet criteria on all of the following EXCEPT

A) inflation.
B) interest rates.
C) unemployment.
D) government debt.
E) the annual budget deficit.

Question 15

The EU's Stability and Growth Pact is designed to

A) foster economic growth.
B) lower unemployment.
C) ensure the stability of the euro.
D) support democratization in Eastern Europe.
E) provide aid to poorer regions of the EU.

Question 16

Among the arguments against the euro was that it would

A) increase sovereignty of individual countries.
B) lead to inflation.
C) put constraints on the welfare state.
D) introduce too much democracy into the EU.
E) decrease the positive effects of globalization.

Question 17

In the euro's first ten years, its value against the dollar

A) held steady.
B) went down and then went up.
C) steadily declined.
D) went up and then went steadily down.
E) reached its lowest point in 2009.

Question 18

Since the euro was introduced,

A) inflation has been high in Europe.
B) unemployment has markedly declined.
C) several additional countries have adopted it.
D) trade among European countries has declined.
E) all countries have abided by the Stability and Growth Pact.

Question 19

The Copenhagen Criteria concern

A) rules countries must meet to join the EU.
B) rules countries must meet to join the eurozone.
C) standard criteria for products produced in the EU.
D) rules determining how new laws will be adopted by the EU.
E) special opt-outs the Danes received from the EU.

Question 20

Which of the following countries joined the EU in 2004?

A) Turkey and Poland
B) Romania and Bulgaria
C) Poland and Hungary
D) Finland and Sweden
E) Norway and Malta

Question 21

When the EU expanded in 2004,

A) it said it would take in no new members for at least ten years.
B) restrictions were put in place on free movement of peoples from new member states.
C) it helped unify the island of Cyprus.
D) it had little effect on the Common Agricultural Policy.
E) it added countries that were similar in wealth to existing members.

Question 22

The acquis communautaire refers to

A) a French term that favors more European integration.
B) the existing body of EU laws and directives.
C) rules necessary to join the eurozone.
D) the original theory beyond European integration.
E) the motto of the EU.

Question 23

The EU has already begun accession negotiations with

A) Ukraine.
B) Moldova.
C) Kosovo.
D) Turkey.
E) Switzerland.

Question 24

The European Coal and Steel Community can be understood as the first step toward today's EU.

Question 25

The European Economic Community started out with fifteen members.

Question 26

Many favored the euro for nationalistic reasons.

Question 27

The European Union achieved the goal of a common market in the 1950s.

Question 28

The Maastricht Treaty set the euro as an objective for the EU.

Question 29

The Growth and Stability Pact says states in the eurozone pledge to keep their budget deficit low.

Question 30

Jacques Delors can be considered a "Euro-skeptic."

Question 31

Advocates of supranationalism think the EU should acquire more powers vis-à-vis member states.

Question 32

The EU's history shows that functionalist approaches were largely ineffective.

Question 33

The EU adopted the euro upon the signing of the Lisbon Treaty.

Question 34

What were the costs and benefits of EU expansion in the 2000s? Why, in your view, did the EU ultimately decide to expand?

Question 35

After World War II, what types of reasons were given in favor of European integration? What argument, in your view, do you think was most persuasive?

Question 36

Does the development of the EU demonstrate that functional theories of integration are largely correct?

Question 37

In your view, do you think the euro is a good idea for countries in Europe? Would you invoke the same arguments for a currency union between the United States and Canada?

Question 38

Given your understanding of the goals and history of the EU, do you think that it could serve as a model for countries in other regions of the world?