Problem 1:
In spite of resistance by certain Members States to full political union, the European Union is a de facto ‘state' or ‘super-state'.
Q.1: Using information we covered in the course, which political system(s) describe(s) best the governance system of the EU?
Q.2: Is the governance system of the EU democratic? Why ‘yes', or why ‘not'?
Q.3: Which one among the EU institutions best represents the interests of EU citizens?
Problem 2:
Turkish ministers have in recent months repeatedly said in the media that Turkey does not need the EU, but that the EU needs Turkey.
Q.1: Which party (i.e., EU or Turkey) has so far benefitted most from the Customs Union Agreement? Why?
Q.2: Would Turkey have been better-off with a Free Trade Agreement with the EEC/EU instead of the Customs Union Agreement? Why ‘yes', or why ‘not'?
Q.3: Choose one Turkish industry which has grown substantially since 1994. Which are the main factors for such growth? Did the selected industry benefit from the CUA, or has it, on the contrary, been affected negatively by the CU?
Problem 3:
New Member States and candidate states for EU membership have to integrate themselves to the Union by adopting and transposing into their respective legal systems the EU acquis. This is part of the European Integration process.
Q.1: Identify three areas of Turkish life and/or politics in which EU acquis transposition has been strongly beneficial (or can be strongly beneficial in the near future).
Q.2: Identify at least one area of Turkish life or politics in which such European Integration will be impossible or highly problematic.
Q.3: Who, in your opinion, are the ‘domestic actors' and/or factors, which provide the strongest resistance to Turkey's integration with the EU?