EU LAW Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

EU LAW - Essay Example We will begin with a concise yet comprehensive overview of the European Union and will thoroughly address the evolution of the EU following the collapse of state-led communism in Eastern Europe. The European Union has undergone a variety of changes in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union including expansion to the east through the Maastricht Treaty and proposed institutional change through the Treaty of Lisbon. Although it has not always been the case, modern-day Europe is characterized by a unifying democratic political culture. While the concept of democracy originated on its shores, the philosophy of democratic governance was challenged in 20th century Europe by authoritarian political movements, including fascism (expressed by Nazi Germany & Mussolini’s Italy), and communism (as exemplified in Eastern Europe during the Cold War). With Allied victory in World War II and the recent collapse of the Soviet Union, democracy – in varying degrees– is now a universal trend amongst European states. In fact liberal democracy, best expressed by the states of Western Europe with entrenched democratic traditions, is quickly becoming the standard for the continent. Democratic norms and rules have subsequently been established through a pan-European legal framework (see Almond et al 2002). Promoting widespread reform to the existing institutions of the European Union, the Treaty of Lisbon is an international multilateral agreement which would fundamentally alter the institutions and composition of this organization. Accordingly, Lisbon would supersede prior agreements enacted by this multinational organization and a represent significant institutional change to the EU. Seeped in controversy, the Treaty of Lisbon has yet to be ratified by all member states and thus remains on the backburner for most countries of the European Union. Accordingly, the countries which comprise the European Union have embraced