The Impact of Economic Integration within the European Union as a Factor in Conflict Transformation and Peace-Building

Abstract

This study examines economic integration within the European Union as a factor in conflict transformation and peace-building. European responses to causes of frequent conflict and wars after the end of WWII focused on the search for peace, economic cooperation and prosperity. This thesis will focus on three elements: economic interdependence, the expansion of the free market, and economic integration. In-depth examination of these factors reveals that economic interdependence or the exchange of goods and services across inter-state and international boundaries only, is not sufficient to bring peace among states. Economic interdependence may reduce the impact of war, but cannot maintain sustainable peace. Unfair competition fanned by economic nationalism was a strong obstacle to free trade in Europe in the early 19th century. In the 21st century, the expansion of the free trade, with increased understanding has enhanced reduction in interstate conflicts. However, free trade, in and of itself does not constitute a strong factor for a sustainable peace. Free trade may encourage democracy, but the expansion of free trade coupled with interdependence, does not bring sustainable peace. The EU has successfully established sustainable peace through economic integration-the creation of the single market that establish freedom of movement, people, goods, services; and a single currency that facilitates easy transactions. The single market also abolished tariffs and custom duties. By and large, economic integration within the EU has been successful in creating sustainable peace because economic interdependence, and the expansion of the free market have been combined with political integration by building democratic institutions at the intergovernmental and transnational levels.ii

Trade–peace conundrum in Africa: The moderating effects of poverty and inequality

“…However, Ali et al (2015) highlighted that despite the expectation that long‐standing trade partners would resolve conflicts amicably, the trade relations between Pakistan and India remained strained owing to territorial disputes and terrorism. This aligns with Gylfason (2015) but opposes Ette (2014). Gylfason (2015), using a gravity model on Mediterranean countries’ data from 1995 to 2010, found modest trade gains, with potential for greater benefits through deeper economic integration.…”

“…Gylfason (2015), using a gravity model on Mediterranean countries’ data from 1995 to 2010, found modest trade gains, with potential for greater benefits through deeper economic integration. Ette (2014) focused on Europe and discovered that economic integration and trade contributed to peace‐building in the EU.…”

“…Additionally, the study explores the typically unexplored region of Africa in the Trade for Peace analysis as most studies concentrate on Europe (e.g. Ette, 2014; Gylfason, 2015) and Asia (e.g. Ali et al, 2015).…”

América Latina: ¿es posible un único sistema de integración económico?

“…La UE como representa la unión económica y política de veintisiete estados miembros, ubicados principalmente en Europa. Establecido por el Tratado de Maastricht en noviembre de 1993, sobre la base de la Comunidad Económica Europea preexistente, tiene una población de casi 700 millones de ciudadanos y genera aproximadamente el treinta por ciento de los productos mundiales brutos nominales (Ette, 2014).…”

“…El mercado único europeo, por su parte, permitió la libre circulación de personas, dinero, servicios y bienes en todos los estados miembros de la UE (Ette, 2014). La Política Agrícola Común (PAC) también se creó para proporcionar a los agricultores un precio garantizado por sus productos, estabilizar el mercado y garantizar el suministro continuo de alimentos (Warwick, Hardy, Hoffman, & Homer, 2016).…”