Abstract
This paper first explains that the UK, in comparison to Germany, has always been less enthusiastic and more hesitant about European integration. Next, the author lists several reasons why the UK and Germany clearly have fairly different attitudes toward the EU and notes that the central cause is that Germany is more 'europeanized'. The paper underscores that both countries value their relationships with the EU; nonetheless, the UK sees the worth of this membership only as it benefits its own national interests, which often are seen as being independent of the EU.

From the Paper
"In terms of power, Goldberger convincingly explains that 'Germany does not see the world through a 'realist lens'. This is shown by the fact that Germany is so keen to push for further integration which would further align German interests with that of the EU. The reasoning behind this can be explained in that Germany is very determined to avoid the mistakes of the past, notably aggressive nationalism. The UK on the other hand did not experience the humiliating defeat at war, quite unlike most of Europe to the Nazis and the Germans to the Allies."

Tags:euro, independent, identity, integration, attitudes

Abstract
This paper provides a discussion on the positive and negative aspects of the Czech Republic's membership to the EU since 2004. The paper considers two key elements in the form of social and economic impacts. Overall the paper comes to the conclusion that as a member of the EU the Czech Republic has benefited significantly from an economic perspective, especially from relaxations in trade tariffs and barriers to trade with key trading partners such as Germany and France. From a social perspective the paper has not reached a decisive conclusion, with mixed data and views being presented in relation to the true impact of EU membership upon the Czech Republic. Additionally, the paper considers both hard statistical data as well as the perceptions of a number of members of the Czech community, summarizing that the perceptions of the Czech public largely mirror that of the data observed, as such there has been no significant gap between perception and fact as observed in the course of this project. Several figures, graphs and tables are included in the paper.

Outline:

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Research Aims and Objectives
2.0 Methodology
2.2 Secondary Research
2.3 Primary Research
2.4 Quantitative and Qualitative Data
2.5 Findings and Analysis
2.6 Ethics, Health and Safety
3.0 Literature Review
3.1 The EU
3.2 The Czech Republic
3.3 The EU and Migration
3.4 Structural Considerations
3.5 Social Impacts
4.0 Findings and Analysis
4.1 Economic Indicators
4.2 Trading Partners
4.3 The Recession
4.4 The Agricultural Sector
4.4 The Tourism Sector
4.5 EU and the Environment
4.6 Primary Research
5.0 Conclusions

From the Paper
"One of the key tenants for the joining of the EU are the benefits derived from being part of a trading block which promises the freedom of movement of capital , labour and good and services. However, for the 10 new members states, including the Czech Republic the promise has not been what it might have been for members who joined the Union earlier. One of the key restrictions places upon new members has been on the ability of their citizen to migrate freely within the EU for economic purposes (Palmer 2008). Whilst such a policy has affected nations such as the Czech republic who suffer from the inflexibilities of labour restrictions placed upon their citizens, there is also the consideration that such measures are temporary with restrictions due to be lifted in 2011 (Palmer 2008). However, this would seem to create a conflict between the principals of the EU which are based around the concept of equality and freedom of trade and labour movement and the policies which have actually been implemented and which this case have had a negative impact upon Czech society in that members of other EU states are able to take advantage of trade and labour opportunities within the Czech Republic, yet Czech citizens are temporarily bared from taking advantage of the same opportunities in other EU member states."

Tags:Czech republic, European union, EU, EU membership, migration, immigrants

Abstract
This paper examines the current social, economic and cultural state of a United Germany. It looks at how the previously ultra nationalistic country has been used as an example by the EU to show that a country can maintain its own identity and still be part of a Greater Europe. Contemporary history of Germany is examined, since the collapse of the Berlin Wall until present.

From the Paper
"After the fall of Berlin Wall and the Unification of West Germany and East Germany, the United Germany due to its size and strength has often been perceived as the leader of the European Union. This situation and perception worries and annoys the other European Union members because of the German reputation in the past, in the World War. This problem which is often called the "German Problem" and as European members try not to hold past against Germany to such degree that it damages integration. The problem of European Security was the major concern and an essential determinant in all proposals and considerations on Germany's European integration. The image of Germany in the past was also a major consideration and its neighbors knew that a united Germany would emerge at some stage in the postwar developments, despite the fact that they would have prefer the partition to remain in post war Europe."

Tags:belin, wall, nazi, history, europe, postwar, international, trade

Abstract
This paper explains the new single European currency being used in 12 countries in Europe, so far. Specifically, the paper explores why the government of England decided not to join the singular currency, showing both the advantages and disadvantages of using one currency. The paper evaluates the Euro, in general, and looks at its impact on the UK's tourism industry.

From the Paper
"Because most of the cross-border countries of UK are members of EMU, the tourism industry of UK faces a high risk of price competition with the EMU nations, through comparisons in terms of travel fares and hotel accommodations. Travel cost in UK is likely to be more expensive, than
that of a country within the Euro zone, because of the cost of currency conversion. Single currency within the Euro zone may attract more travelers because of the convenience of not needing to convert currencies. In this view, in contrast to the possible increase in tourism rate among countries within the Euro zone, UK may experience a struggle in their tourism industry because of the inconvenience and cost UK's currency may bring to travelers."

Tags:trade, european, international, economics, finance, money, cash, britain, blair, pound, sterling

Abstract
The paper shows how the primary factors contributing to European integration were largely political and ideological; it was the French wariness of Germany, the Western fear of Communism and Germany's will to be accepted again that drove the integration forward. Nevertheless, the paper explains how for most countries, the economic component was still essential. The paper also highlights how the European integration was based on a reaction to external and internal pressures, rather than on an inherent sense of a common European ideology.

From the Paper
"In the wake of the Second World War (WWII) most of the European countries, particularly Germany, found themselves in a state physical and economic devastation. WWII left more than 40 million dead and a strong urgency for some form of European cooperation (Gowland and Cornwall, 2000, p.13). Hence, the following paper sets out to examine the relative significance of international, political and economic factors in promoting moves towards European integration in the period from 1945 till 1957. McCormick (2008, p.45) identifies three original priorities in promoting European integration: prevention of new conflicts, post-war economic recovery and security against the threats posed by the cold war. However, the differences between the various European countries regarding their motivation for the integration played a crucial role, as did the US, which showed an increasing interest in a united Europe, and most notably an integrated Germany."

Tags:Marshall, Plan, Shuman, Plan, Western, Germany, U.S., France, unification, reconstruction

Abstract
This paper first describes the original goals for the formation of the European Union (EU). Next, the author traces the history of the establishment and actions of the foreign policy, security and defense branches of the EU, which are hampered by constant evolution. The paper underscores that European defense policy and all areas of foreign policy within the EU have never appeared to have been focused on the potential military might of a united Europe because that would contradict the reasons for the states of Europe to bond together in the first place.

From the Paper
"The year 1991 saw the negotiation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The completion of the Single Market brought forth - particularly from France and Germany, the argument that it was now time to concentrate on the Political union of Europe, as well as economically and monetarily, for the EMU (Economic and Monetary Union) was now up and running. Divisions were rife throughout the Union not only in terms of those who wished to speed up the process of integration and those who wanted to keep decision making on such issues in the hands of member states."

Tags:nato, treaty of amsterdam, international peace, conflicts evolution

Abstract
This paper explains that, since its inception, several events have conspired to push the European Union (EU) towards implementing foreign and security policies and military intervention; the ethnic conflicts on the doorstep of Europe in the Balkans and specifically the failures in Bosnia and Kosovo have prompted EU leaders to consider the role of the EU in military and humanitarian concerns. The author points out that, in the war on terror, the American response was 'shock and awe'; whereas, the 'European way of war' includes not only the Petersberg Tasks of peacekeeping and humanitarian aid but also trying to deal with the congeries of economic, political, social and human factors, which, if left unaddressed, can contribute to conflict and to support for terrorism. The paper concludes that the EU's identity as an actor on the world stage, as it has developed over the years, has proven it to be a successful economic and political participant in world affairs and, therefore, has been obliged the EU to take responsibility for international conflict and humanitarian crises in its capacity as a major world actor.

Table of Contents
Bosnia
Kosovo
Macedonia
Congo
The End of the Cold War
The 'War on Terror'
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The massacre at Srebrenica in Bosnia, July 1995 was called 'the worst mass murder in Europe since 1945'. The massacre was the culmination of civil war between Serbs and Muslims, brought about through ethnic rivalries. At the time, the United Nations (UN) was in official command of troops in Bosnia and had designated Srebrenica a safe zone for Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), but the UN troops (under a Dutch commander) found themselves unable to intervene. The troops, called in for peacekeeping and humanitarian aid, were not authorised to engage with the Serbs. While the EU with its newly formed Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) attempted negotiations, it was a case of too little, too late."

Tags:bosnia, macedonia, peacekeeping, policy, security

Abstract
In this article, the writer provides a review of three different pieces of academic literature that deal with the Union's role in international politics. These works are an article by Birol Yesilada, Brian Efird and Peter Noordijk entitled 'Competition among Giants', Stanley Sloan's 'NATO, the European Union and the Atlantic Community' and Stephanie Anderson's book 'Crafting EU Security Policy'. The methodological approach is outlined for each work along with the main issues it highlights. Ultimately, the writer assesses to what extent these pieces of academic literature offer new and developed insight into the question of international relations from the European perspective. The writer concludes that the wide diversity of possible solutions available with regard to European expansion and international relations are clear by the different answers and responses contained within each of the above mentioned academic works.

From the Paper
"Indeed, although the NATO alliance has undergone some particularly difficult years implementing a united policy, particularly with regard the war on terror, I still agree that this is where the most effective future for the European Union lies. Above all, the framework for cooperation on this basis has already been largely established with all the leading union members also being members of NATO. Moreover, Sloan is quite right to declare that social and cultural similarities that have developed over decades and centuries provide much support for a reinvigoration of the Atlantic alliance.
"However, is it possible that there is a third option that does not require the union forging ever closer links with outside powers, whether they are Russia or the United States?"

Tags:foreign, diplomatic, world, power, global

Abstract
The paper notes that the European Union (EU) has developed and expanded to become one the major political and economic centers of the world. The paper examines and contrasts three different pieces of academic output on the question of (EU) economics, politics and society. The paper makes a comparison between how three different academic sources conceptualise these issues and how they view future possibilities for cooperation. The paper highlights these similarities and differences and exemplifies the relative merits and pitfalls contained within each thesis.

From the Paper
" It has been widely determined that although the political structure of the union is democratic in nature, nonetheless much of institutional framework, particularly with regard the European Commission does not have adequate levels of democratic accountability (Peterson and Shackleton, 2002). As such, this lack of examination means that although Svenden's assessment offers new and informative insight into the political economy of the union, it fails to adequately address the underlying problem of anti democratic practice. "

Tags:diverse, conceptions, theoretical, foundations, problematic, nature

Abstract
This paper discusses the main challenges involved in formulating and instigating foreign relations policies and decisions within the European Union (EU). It looks at the reasons why these problems and challenges occur and discusses the best ways to overcome the difficulties. The paper presents specific examples to explain the current situation.

From the Paper
"As such, the solution is a simple one in theory though enormously difficult in practice. In order for the European Union to carry out foreign relations in a manner which fit its theoretical global position, much higher levels of integration is required. A concrete and vital start to this process would be the establishment of a Union wide constitution capable of acting as the ultimate authority. However, both this and further measures to ensure the effectiveness of collective action outside the Union would require the large scale removal of sovereignty from individual member states to the central Union authority. Opposition to such moves would be considerable and thus given its fragmented mature, it is unlikely that the European Union will be able to act in such a way for some time to come."

Tags:authority, security, gloablization