Britain and the European Union: What is to be done?
04 April 2012
Graham Avery, Honorary Director General of the European Commission, gave a talk at the University of Bath on the 16 February 2012. He was invited by the International Relations and European Politics (IREP) Postgraduate Group. In his talk he reflected on three questions: (i) what is the European Union?, (ii) what is Britain’s interest in being a member of it?, and (iii) is Britain moving towards a different kind of membership, or even towards the exit?
What is the European Union?
Looking at the European Union in the light of history he noted that simply while its predecessors proceeded mainly by force of conquest, the EU has from the beginning been a voluntary project, which countries join of their own free will. The second main difference between the EU and the European orders that preceded it is that the EU is ‘non-hegemonic’ in character. By this he means that no single country is in charge. He believes that the EU has an ideology and it does have specific concepts of political and economic organisation: in the political sphere it embraces democracy, human rights, the rule of law, respect of minorities, etc. and in the economic sphere it embraces the market economy and competition, with state intervention in a number of areas. It has organised relations between European states and peoples in a way that optimises the chances for domestic peace and prosperity. It also provides the possibility for them to enhance their external influence by acting together in foreign policy. Indeed I think this should be seen as the major project for the EU in the 21st century – to project European interests and values more effectively in world affairs.
Britain’s interest in the EU
Graham Avery argues that a European state can of course remain outside the EU and function very well: the classic examples are Norway and Switzerland. But this choice has a price. […] If Britain left the EU, it would need to develop a relationship with the EU, and it is often suggested that the default mode would be the EEA. So it is important to consider whether it would be appropriate for Britain. In my opinion, what may be acceptable for Norway – a small country of 5 million people – would be less acceptable for Britain, a bigger country with a different history and a different concept of its international role. As far as the economy is concerned, Britain’s access to the Single Market gives it substantial benefits in terms of trade, employment and growth. But the Single Market is not complete, particularly in services, including financial services, and it is in Britain’s interest to press for its completion in areas in which the UK has a comparative advantage. In political terms the story is more mixed. On the one hand the EU has become more flexible since Britain joined, and it allows ‘opt-outs’ and ‘opt-ins’ to accommodate the wishes of Britain and other members. But on the other hand the reluctance of Britain to participate fully in some of the EU’s important projects places it a disadvantage in obtaining what it wants in other fields. Even worse than when Britain plays the role of ‘reluctant European’ is when it attempts to prevent the others from doing things together even without Britain.
Britain’s relationship with the EU
One of the illuminating features of the European debate in this country, and indeed in other European countries, is that although political parties in opposition may take negative positions on EU affairs, when they come to power they compose rapidly with the realities of international affairs, and soon cooperate with the European partners. This has certainly been the case for Conservative Ministers in the present government: David Cameron and William Hague both affirm that they want Britain to play a full role in the EU, and to remain in it. Avery accepts that they believe what they say, but the problem is that a vocal section of their own party disagrees with them.
Conclusion
Graham Avery draws three conclusions. First, young people have to try to understand what the EU really means. In his view, the general level of understanding of these questions in this country is appalling. Second, British politicians need to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of EU membership in a more rational way. Politicians who are in power, or have been in power, should explain to their supporters how Britain can have more influence by persuading its European partners to build a better EU than by retreating into splendid isolation. And third, the EU must act intelligently to resolve the present financial and economic crisis in such a way that the European economy can resume stable growth, and the EU can turn its attention to other global challenges in the world that can best be handled by collective European action.
For a full transcript of this speech please e-mail Christos Marazopoulos or Brett Edwards.
