The European Union in Crisis: Resilient or Rotten?

Published 24 Mar 2016
Reference 6202
Region Europe
Length 38 page(s)
Language English
Summary

The case describes the historical evolution of the European Union and the role and powers of its decision-making organs. It surveys the growing number of crises - relating to the Eurozone, the Ukraine conflict, mass migration from Syria and other non-member countries, and 'Brexit' (the possibility of British withdrawal) - that it has had to confront during the last few years and asks whether the EU will survive these crises or begin to disintegrate.

Teaching objectives

The case provides a basis for an informed discussion and analysis of the forces that have driven the process of European political integration, the process by which the EU makes decisions, the key actors in this process, the roots, nature and scope of the crises it is currently confronting, whether the EU will continue to integrate or start to disintegrate, and what the implications of such potential scenarios might be.

Keywords
  • European Union
  • Eurozone
  • Brexit
  • Ukraine
  • Schengen
  • Migration
  • (Dis)integration
  • Crisis
  • Q31516