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As one of the largest unions globally, the European Union boasts a population larger than that of the United States, a landmass far exceeding that of India, and an economy that could rival even the financial might of China.
Despite its global influence, the EU remains largely misunderstood by many. If you're outside the continent and find yourself confused when terms like 'Eurozone,' 'European Economic Area,' or 'What exactly is EFTA?' pop up, you're not alone.
10. Not Every European Nation Is Part of It
Let's clear this up. Many journalists mistakenly use the terms 'Europe' and 'the EU' as if they were the same. While it's often a shorthand for convenience, it gives the false impression that most, if not all, European countries belong to the Union.
Describing this as misleading would be an understatement. Depending on your method of counting, Europe has anywhere from 42 to 48 countries. (Some counts exclude Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Vatican City). Can you guess how many are part of the EU?
The answer is a bit more than half. When the UK departs in March 2019, the EU will be made up of 27 nations. This means there are 21 countries that take issue when it's assumed that Brussels represents the whole of Europe.
Some of these countries are more involved with the EU, while others are less so. Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein are members of the European Economic Area (EEA), meaning they align with Brussels on some issues, but not all. Switzerland is even more distant. (The EEA, along with Switzerland, forms EFTA.) On the opposite end, you have countries like Belarus, which has little desire to join the EU, much like Texas.
9. Not All EU Nations Use the Euro (And Some Non-EU Nations Do)
One of the most perplexing aspects of the EU is how it can appear at times like a budding nation and at other times like a trading bloc. The euro serves as a prime example. As the official currency of the EU, it ranks alongside the dollar, pound, and yen. Yet, not every EU country uses it, and to complicate matters, many non-EU countries use it as well.
Currently, 19 EU nations have adopted the euro as their official currency, while nine countries, including the UK, have not. The eurozone comprises these nations, and they are typically the ones voicing concern during high-stakes meetings, especially when Athens faces a debt crisis. EU regulations technically require members to join the single currency, yet countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary have resisted, deeming the euro a poor choice.
Interestingly, there are four non-EU countries that, despite no obligation, have chosen to use the euro officially. Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and Vatican City are now bound by the euro's disadvantages, yet they have no voice in the decisions surrounding it.
8. The Only Major Trading Bloc with Free Movement
This expansive trading bloc is larger than India in landmass and has a population that nearly matches the United States. Established in the 1970s, its goal was to eliminate borders between neighboring nations and foster an environment of free movement and equal opportunities.
Indeed, we're referring to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), one of the most influential organizations in Africa. Made up of countries like Nigeria, Togo, and Senegal, it's often referred to as the African EU. Just like in the EU, citizens of ECOWAS nations can settle in any other ECOWAS country without hurdles or restrictions.
Many people mistakenly believe that the EU’s Four Freedoms, which cover the free movement of goods, capital, services, and labor, are particularly accommodating to immigration. However, the ECOWAS region is just as welcoming. Much like the EU, ECOWAS allows its citizens to move freely. Additionally, host countries in ECOWAS can deport these citizens after 90 days if they are not employed.
The EU and ECOWAS are not the only regions with such policies. South America’s Mercosur system also grants its citizens the ability to live and work in neighboring countries without restrictions.
7. It’s Supportive of Migrants and Refugees
Refugees should be confined to old military facilities, under constant surveillance, and face financial consequences if they fail to assimilate into the local culture. No, this isn’t from Roy Moore’s unsuccessful bid for the US Senate. It’s a proposal recently supported by Heinz-Christian Strache, the vice chancellor of Austria. The government has already put the financial penalty aspect into effect.
Austria, although not a founding member of the EU, is a prosperous Western nation. Strache’s remarks illustrate that, contrary to its reputation as a pro-migrant country, the EU also houses numerous anti-immigrant sentiments.
Several countries, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Bulgaria, are governed by parties with anti-immigrant ideologies. Anti-immigrant sentiment is also prevalent in Brussels, as evidenced by a March 2016 agreement to send refugees back from the EU to Turkey, a deal so harsh that Amnesty International deemed it shameful.
The image of the EU as a sanctuary for immigrants largely stems from one individual: Angela Merkel. In 2015, she opened Germany’s doors to asylum seekers, resulting in the arrival of over one million refugees. However, in 2017, German voters responded by punishing her at the polls.
6. Internal Migration is a Significant Trend
Thanks to the EU’s policy of allowing citizens to live and work in other member states with minimal restrictions, you might think that many choose to do so. A survey conducted by polling company Ipsos Mori in the UK revealed that Brits mistakenly believed more than ten percent of the country's population was born in another EU nation.
The statistics present a very different picture. According to Pew Research, approximately 20 million EU citizens currently reside in a member state other than their country of birth. While this may seem like a significant number, it represents only four percent of the EU's total population.
For perspective, about 40 percent of Americans live in a state other than the one they were born in, and that figure is historically low. Even in EU countries with high levels of immigration, such as the UK, only six to seven percent of their population is born in another EU state.
This trend is not distributed evenly across the EU. Nearly four million Poles have moved abroad within the EU, compared to 1.2 million Brits, one million French, and fewer than 200,000 Swedes.
5. Immigration Is Always Beneficial
The EU is often seen as a progressive entity abroad, attracting liberals who view it as a sanctuary. While the EU upholds certain progressive values, such as the abolition of the death penalty, it doesn't always live up to the idealized image that some people have of it. At times, the EU can act in ways that are far from virtuous.
In the final months of 2017, distressing images emerged of a modern-day slave market operating within a migrant camp in the Libyan desert. Even though many pro-European individuals were likely shocked, it’s believed that not everyone in Brussels was surprised. A scathing report by Amnesty International in December accused top EU officials of collaborating with Libyan militias, allowing migrants to be trafficked, tortured, and killed in an attempt to prevent their arrival in Europe. Amnesty is now pursuing legal action.
The EU has demonstrated similar failures in other areas. It has effectively withdrawn from its role as a security guarantor in Bosnia, heightening the risk of another ethnic conflict. Additionally, it has failed to provide financial assistance to Greece, which struggles with an overwhelming number of migrants. The EU's failure to address critical security concerns has resulted in horrific terrorist attacks that could have been prevented.
4. The EU's Role as a Force for Evil
In our divided world, there are those who view the European Union's vaguely progressive stance as a symbol of an evil empire. However, if that’s the case, it’s led by an unexpectedly compassionate Darth Vader. Despite its flaws, the EU has undeniably achieved many feats that have contributed to making the world a better place.
Consider the apprehension of Serbian war criminals Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. Known as the “butcher of Bosnia,” Karadzic and his associate were sentenced for genocide at the ICC. Their prosecution was made possible because the EU offered Serbia the prospect of membership, leading the country from pariah status a decade ago to a candidate for full EU membership by 2025.
The EU has also facilitated other significant advancements. One major achievement is the economic growth experienced by former communist countries in Eastern Europe since the end of the Iron Curtain, largely due to EU expansion in 2003. A quick comparison of Poland and Ukraine's economies illustrates the tangible benefits. Brussels has also played a crucial role in combating corruption and has helped prevent the rise of new dictatorships in Europe.
3. EU Nations Must Possess Burgundy Passports
When traveling across Europe, one will likely become familiar with a particular style of passport: the burgundy EU passport. Adopting these passports has long been a formality for nations joining the Union.
The key word in the previous paragraph is 'formality.' While the EU encourages new members to adopt burgundy passports, it’s not an absolute rule. For instance, Croatia still uses the dark blue passports it introduced after gaining independence.
Though this may appear to be a minor matter, it underscores a deeper issue at the core of growing dissatisfaction in the EU. The combination of Brussels pushing people away from their national identities and local politicians failing to inform citizens that changes like these are not mandatory, has contributed to events like Brexit.
Among the many misconceptions about the EU, one criticism holds significant merit: The EU likely needs to improve its communication with its citizens. How effectively it addresses this challenge will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the world’s largest trading bloc.
2. Turkey May One Day Become a Member
One of the major concerns leading up to the Brexit vote was the possibility of Turkey joining the EU. This sparked fears of an influx of Turkish immigrants to the UK, as well as unease in other EU nations about the increasing Muslim demographic within the Union.
The fears surrounding this were largely unfounded. While the EU has initiated talks with several countries about potential membership, most of them will never join. Turkey, in particular, is one of the least likely candidates.
A significant reason for this is that every current EU member must agree to allow a new country to join. Cyprus, a member of the EU, is partially under Turkish occupation, making it likely that Cyprus would veto Turkey’s accession. However, this is more of a theoretical concern, as Ankara has recently announced its intention to end its bid for EU membership.
Becoming an EU member is an extremely lengthy process that spans decades. Countries must agree to adopt EU legislation, including on contentious issues such as gay rights, the death penalty, and anti-corruption measures. As of now, Serbia and Montenegro are the only countries with ongoing membership bids.
1. It Exists Solely For Germany’s Benefit
Germany holds the dominant economic position in the EU. With the UK's exit, only France remains a close competitor. Under Merkel’s leadership, Germany has exercised significant influence in Brussels. However, is the entire EU project merely a German maneuver? Not exactly.
First, there are numerous checks on what any single nation can impose on the entire EU. Much like how California or Texas can’t make unilateral decisions in Washington, DC, Germany must negotiate with all other EU Council members. For most matters, more than half of the member states must be in agreement. For significant decisions, like admitting a new country, every single member state must consent. Berlin, for example, has found itself frustrated on the sidelines when EU regulations target carmakers, just one recent instance.
Then there’s the issue of finances. Germany contributes enormous sums of money to the EU, much of which is redistributed to countries like Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and other former Eastern Bloc nations. While Germany benefits from this through trade, the return on investment is no greater than what other net contributors to the EU receive.
