Pro-Europeanism

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Pro-Europeanism is a political category applied to a person, a party or an organisation supporting the idea of European integration, mainly though not exclusively through the European Union (EU). Pro-Europeans or pro-Europeanists generally support further integration, specifically in the context of political argument over the current and future status of the EU and its policies.

The pro-European approach

Many pro-Europeans believe that strength in unity is particularly important in today's multipolar world. They argue that a united and independent Europe has become increasingly necessary, while a politically divided one would bring disadvantages in many areas, including the economic, cultural, political, social, scientific, diplomatic and military arenas. A major argument is the relative small size and importance of the individual European countries with respect to the current and rising powers on the world scale. The individual countries, they argue, would then have limited geopolitical influence and would be unable to represent their own interests effectively. On the other hand, a united Europe, with a population and an economy larger than that of the United States, would make a viable partner, or competitor, whose opinion and interests would be taken into account on the world stage.

Pro-European arguments often refer to what they see as the benefits of the EU to its member states. They argue that citizens enjoy benefits such as the right to free movement across the EEA and social benefits such as employment rights, and consumers benefit from greater choice and guaranteed standards. Such cost–benefit assessments are not generally the only arguments to motivate them, as they also feel they belong to a community of people with common bonds. Further European integration and co-operation is seen as a peacemaking force.

Although pro-Europeans may not be satisfied with every aspect of the present organisation and workings of the EU institutions, they generally argue that the solution to any remaining problems lies not in destroying what has been built, but in pushing for improvements in terms of unity, transparency and democracy.

There is criticism of the term by certain individuals who claim that the EU is not Europe and thus, the term "Pro-Europeanism" is a misnomer.

Political parties

Austria: Austrian People's Party,[1] Social Democratic Party of Austria, NEOS - The New Austria

Belgium: Mouvement Réformateur, Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten

Bulgaria: Union of Democratic Forces (Bulgaria),[2][3][4] Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria,[4] Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria[4]

Czech Republic: Czech Social Democratic Party, ANO 2011, TOP 09, Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party

Denmark: Danish Social Liberal Party,[5] Social Democrats, Venstre

France: Democratic Movement, The Republicans, Socialist Party, Europe Écologie–The Greens, Radical Party of the Left, Union of Democrats and Independents

Germany: Alliance '90/The Greens, Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Union of Bavaria, Social Democratic Party of Germany, Free Democratic Party (Germany)

Greece: New Democracy, Olive Tree, The River

Italy: Democratic Party, Forza Italia, New Centre-Right – Union of the Centre

Ireland: Fine Gael

Netherlands: D66

Slovakia: Christian Democratic Movement, Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party, Most-Híd

Spain: People's Party, Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, Citizens (Spanish political party), Equo, Union, Progress and Democracy

United Kingdom: Liberal Democrats,[6] Labour Party

Outside the EU

Albania: Democratic Party of Albania

Armenia: Heritage

Azerbaijan: Popular Front Party,

Belarus: Belarusian Christian Democracy, BPF Party

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Serb Democratic Party, Union for a Better Future

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Social Democratic Union, New Social Democratic Party

Georgia: Georgian Dream, Republican Party of Georgia, United National Movement, Our Georgia - Free Democrats

Iceland: Social Democratic Alliance, Bright Future

Montenegro: Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro. Democratic Front, Positive Montenegro, Liberal Party

Norway: Conservative Party, Labour Party

Moldova: Liberal Democratic Party, Communist Party, PDM, Liberal Party, European People's Party

Russia: Yabloko, People's Freedom Party

Turkey: AKP

Serbia: Democratic Party, United Serbia, Serbian Renewal Movement, New Party, Strength of Serbia Movement

Switzerland: Social Democratic Party of Switzerland, Green Party of Switzerland

Ukraine: Fatherland, Ukrainian People's Party, Our Ukraine, European Party of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko Bloc

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP)". The Democratic Society. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  2. ↑ Nathaniel Copsey; Tim Haughton (2009). The JCMS Annual Review of the European Union in 2008. John Wiley & Sons. p. 56. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  3. ↑ Richard Davis Anderson (2001). "Postcommunism and the Theory of Democracy". Princeton University Press. p. 147. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Donatella M. Viola (2015). Routledge Handbook of European Elections. Routledge. p. 639. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  5. ↑ Claudia Hefftler; et al. (2015). The Palgrave Handbook of National Parliaments and the European Union. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 286]. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "Civitas: UK political parties' positions on the EU". civitas.org.uk. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
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