Academic issue, first week

Academic issue

We started class with Dr. Jean Louis Burban

Among the issues that were important to Dr. Burban were: 

• The History of European Integration 
• Teh council of Europe law 
• European Union Law
• The European court of justice
• Community material european law
• International social labor

The following video shows a brief history of the creation of the European Union:

Advantages and disadvantages

Opinion is divided and there are many advantages and disadvantages commonly listed by different groups in different societies. 

Some of the advantages include: 
- The European Common Market. This ensures free trade within the European Union (EU). Some argue that free trade in the EU can be achieved through the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), but members of the EFTA must abide by all EU laws while they have absolutely no say in EU policymaking. 
- Freedom of movement within the EU means that going on holiday (vacation) or on another form of trip (including school visits) is much easier. There (almost) is no fuss around the boundaries as there is no complex passport control. Many can pass from one country to another even without any passport control. 
- Being part of a large supranational organisation means that a country has a greater influence with world affairs, as they both represent themselves and are represented by the EU 
- The Working Time Directive means workers are protected from exploitation. In addition, consumers are granted consumer rights not seen almost anywhere else in the world. 
- Greater cooperation on issues of national security, including drug trafficking and cyber-crime. 
- European citizenship. 
- A European Health Insurance Card means that if you fall ill or get injured in another EU country, you can get the same level of medical care that a citizen of that country would get. This relates to EU citizenship. 

Some disadvantages: 
- The larger European Member States contribute (financially) more to the organization. On the other hand, they still exert more influence in decision-making and policymaking. 
- The EU has taken away some powers, such as trade agreements and has led to a greater influx of immigrants in some countries. 
- The Common Fisheries Policy has had arguably some negative effects on the fishing industry. 
- The Euro has suffered from serious problems in recent years, as there was a lack of fiscal or banking union. However, the Euro is part of the Eurozone and not necessarily the European Union. 
- EU working time directive has led to higher costs to business and higher costs to consumers. 
- The EHI Card also means EU nationals can use the National Health Service to cover their medical costs 
From a non-European perspective, there are many disadvantages of the European Union.