CLASS 12TH POLITICAL SCIENCE CH-2 NEW CENTRES OF POWER NOTES
Updated: Sep 4, 2022
European Union
Marshall plan was launched under which America extended massive financial help for reviving Europe's economy.
Under the Marshall plan the organization for European economic cooperation (OEEC)was established in 1948 to channel aid to the west European states.
The council of Europe, stablished in 1949 was another step forward in political cooperation.
Next step lead to the formation of European economic community in 1957.
European union established in 1992, for a common foreign and security policy cooperation on justice and home affairs and the creation of single currency.
EU has its own Flag ,anthem ,founding date and currency.
The EU has economic ,political and diplomatic and military influence.
The EU is the world's biggest economy with a GDP of more than $ 12 trillion in 2005, slightly larger than USA.
EU currency the euro ,can pose threat to the dominance of the US dollar.
EU share of World Trade is three times larger than that of the of United States.
Two members of EU , Britain and France, hold permanent seat on the UN security council ,as well as several non-permanent members of the UNSC.
Military, the EU 's combined armed are the second largest in the world .Its Total spending on defense is second after the US.
EU members, Britain and France also have nuclear arsenals of approximately 550 nuclear warheads.
But sometime EU member state have their own foreign policy which did not favour EU interest for example
Britain PM Tony Blair was America's partner in the Iraq invasion.
Many EU newer member made of the US led coalition of the willing where as Germany and France opposed American policy.
Britain former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher kept the UK out of the EU market.
Denmark and Sweden has resisted the Maastricht Treaty, and the adoption of the euro.
Thus, this limits the ability of the EU to act in matters of foreign relations and defense.
Flag of EU
The European flag symbolizes both the European Union and, more broadly, the identity and unity of Europe.
It features a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background.
They stand for the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe.
ASEAN
Association of South East Asian Nations
Established:-1976.
(five)Founder countries :-
Indonesia
Malaysia