Michelle Krohn-Friedson

Michelle Krohn-Friedson

Discussion Paper

Government 431

February 1, 2003

Reading Response Essay: McCormick

In his chapter “Elaboration: the European Union Today,” McCormick grapples with the grueling task of defining the EU today. He attempts to come to an understanding of its character and identity by deconstructing the European Polity, analyzing the features that make this union unique. McCormick explains that while the EU cannot be considered a state, as it lacks many of the features he deems essential to statehood, its power extends beyond that of a traditional IO calling into question our traditional understanding of what it means to be a state. He draws our attention to some of the forces at work, placing Europeans in a tug-of-war of intergovernmental vs. supranational power, independence vs. dependence, and competition vs. cooperation, to name a few. These problems are compounded by a history of changes, as the union continuously challenges conventional understanding of international relations. McCormick looks to three systems of governing: Confederalism, Consociationalism, and Federalism to begin to categorize the EU. He argues that while the EU has elements of each of these types of governments, neither one provides a sufficient model when considered in isolation. McCormick concludes that while the EU has many intergovernmental characteristics, they seem to be on the way to surrendering to the supranational power.

McCormick hits on many of the key issues essential to understanding the nature of the EU. He explains, rightly in my opinion, the difficulties in categorizing the EU as he highlights some of the forces pulling the continent in opposing directions. However, McCormick’s argument falters as he analyzes the state of the EU today. Focusing on today, McCormick halts the reader in time, pulling the EU out of the context of history. While he poses the question, “What has the EU become?”(p. 84) more relevant is the question of where it is headed. As McCormick himself acknowledges the transitional nature of the EU, the current status is of minor relevance when compared with the end result. While I think it is obvious that the EU has not yet made Europe into a single state it is not unreasonable to believe that is where Europe is headed. The key to unfolding the EU’s future may lie in a comparison that McCormick makes frequently throughout the chapter: the United States. It appears from his analysis and numerous comparisons that Europe is moving toward a system of states similar to that of the US, with individual states holding some sovereignty subordinate, however, to the greater nation. In addition, McCormick falls into the very same trap that he warns his readers to avoid as he attempts to compare Europe to past models of government. Looking at the EU from the perspective of Confederalism, Consociationalism, and Federalism is somewhat problematic as the present state of Europe is unlike any seen before in history. Our current understanding of the state leaves us unprepared to discuss prevents us from effectively coming to terms with the EU.

The changing nature of borders in Europe is another important issue which McCormick discusses. He explains that EU has eliminated internal borders, allowing freer travel and trade within the Union. What he neglects to mention, however, and what I would argue is a more important trend, is the strengthening of the border separating Europe from the rest of the world. With the increasing presence of the EU, Europe has become progressively more difficult for non-Europeans to penetrate. Instances of racism and xenophobia in Europe are rampant as globalization pulls the doors to the continent tightly shut. This trend also lends itself to discussions about Europe acting as a unified state in the global arena. This perspective of the EU in the context of the global community is largely absent from McCormick’s analysis.

Overall, I believe that McCormick’s chapter on the present state of the EU brings to light many important issues in the ongoing debate about Europe with profound insight and effective reasoning. He eloquently conveys the manner in which the European Union challenges assumptions about the national of international relations and cooperation. His narrow frame of reference, however, severely weakens the argument as he fails to place the study of Europe in the context of time and space. Particularly problematic is his focus on Europe today, outside of history, and his lack of a global perspective. Thankfully, we are only on Chapter 5 and McCormick has the remainder of the book to resolve some of these issues.