Future Integration Scenarios of Europe - Essay Sample

The decision of Britain to leave the European Union was a big blow to its stability. The European Union is built on trust and cooperation among each other in various fields such as trade, defense, and immigration. Having existed for the last six decades, various strong ties have been built among the member nations especially in the fields of immigration and trade (Pasaoglu et al., 2016). There is a possibility of such ties being broken during and after Brexit, which puts the stability of the whole European Union on a pedestal (Frohlich, 2016). The five scenarios represent the potential outcome of the EU and its possible position by the year 2025(Schmidt, & Wood, 2017). Although there are challenges, everyone looks upon the success of the EU.

According to the first scenario, the EU 27 finds a way to work together, strengthen their ties and carry on with business as usual. This takes determination and pride in the union, despite the lack of faith and exit by its most influential member state (Schmidt, & Wood, 2017). This is the best scenario for the Union as it may grow stronger and more committed to its missions. However, this might not happen. Many countries wonder why Britain, which was perceived as the strongest and the most committed member of the union would exit (Begg, 2017). The questions will always continue, and the instability of the union may lead to either its break up or decrease in the level of activity and cohesion among the members.

The second scenario addresses the event where the remaining EU members narrow their business into only a common market for manufacturing and their products (Begg, 2017). This shifts all the focus of the union into trade and disregards other concerns such as migration, security, and defense. This is unlikely to occur due to the growing insurgency and growing terrorist threat in the region. Thirdly, due to the weakened structure of the EU, the willing members could form alliances, where they organize themselves, their priorities and missions together (Begg, 2017). This will lead to members who feel less appreciated and could tumble the European Union as well. A successful side would see the union featured with several alliances that significantly increase its relevance. The four freedoms enjoyed by all the European Union members could further be increased by the members of the mushroomed alliances, creating a better environment for business (Begg, 2017).

In addition to that, if the fourth scenario holds, where the union remains as united as it is, but resolves to concentrate on fewer missions more dedicatedly, its spirit could hold and see it prosper (Begg, 2017). Concentrating on a fewer missions or areas of concern might make it lose its position as the largest charity missions contributor, but the few it is involved in will be highly efficient. This means narrowing down on specific fields such as trade, immigration, and security, where more effectiveness is ensured. Lastly, it is possible for the European Union to pursue greater success, participate in more activities and grow closer together (Begg, 2017). This is where great success of the EU occurs after after Brexit.

Whereas the EU may have various possible outcomes after Brexit, Europe has to proceed and prosper the current financial times through thick or thin (Matthijs, 2017). Being a manufacturing powerhouse, Europe will have to pick itself up, embrace a new future and prove to the world that Britain was just a member; not the head as many perceive it to be (Pasaoglu et al., 2016). Many have migrated from their mother countries to work elsewhere in the European Union nations where the union gives them the freedom to be (Ferrera, 2017). This will be an issue for those who have migrated to Britain since this freedom will be scraped off. Furthermore, it will be more expensive to conduct business in the country, hence sending various companies to other nations, and decreasing manufacturing. Every nation will have to adjust to this change.

Europe is likely to experience a better European Union region, where more freedom, better trade, and easier manufacturing can be conducted in order to give the member countries hope and faith in an effective union despite the opinion of Britain (Pisani-Ferry et al., 2016). As soon as the dust settles, more nations will learn to be independent, especially with segregation of Britain as a free market. EU 27 will show more dedication to its course, which could see a reduction in foreign charity and more investment on security, international ties and defense (Lukman et al., 2016). Britain, on the other hand, will be on a race to prove that it can easily succeed outside the EU. It will invest heavily in security, international ties, and manufacturing. Secondly, it will establish an easier environment to trade, manufacture and live so as to attract foreigners without the EU advantage.

Conclusively, the future integration of Europe is inevitable as every nation craves for economic prowess, which cannot be achieved through segregation. The continent will be united, and the bruises of Brexit on EU 27 will be part of history. Brexit offers every nation an opportunity to shake its position on the map and take suitable measures to develop itself, integrate with others and build the EU. A bright future lies ahead, and Europe will is likely to become a better region that it is currently. The citizens of Europe will feel the pinch of Brexit, easily adapt to it and life moves on. As I mentioned earlier, Brexit will change a lot of things on the continent, and everyone will feel the effect. Whichever the course, everyone must succeed.

References

Begg, I. (2017). The Commissions White Paper on the Future of Europea case of what might have been. LSE European Politics and Policy (EUROPP) Blog.

Ferrera, M. (2017). The Stein Rokkan Lecture 2016 Mission impossible? Reconciling economic and social Europe after the euro crisis and Brexit. European Journal of Political Research, 56(1), 3-22

Frohlich, H. (2016, December). The future of the EU after Brexit: Reform or Further Disintegration? In Europe in Trouble (pp. 89-100). Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG.

Lukman, R. K., Glavic, P., Carpenter, A., & Virtic, P. (2016). Sustainable consumption and productionResearch, experience, and developmentThe Europe we want. Journal of Cleaner Production, 138, 139-147.

Matthijs, M. (2017). Europe after Brexit: A less perfect union. Foreign Aff., 96, 85.

Pasaoglu, G., Harrison, G., Jones, L., Hill, A., Beaudet, A., & Thiel, C. (2016). A system dynamics based market agent model simulating future powertrain technology transition: Scenarios in the EU light duty vehicle road transport sector. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 104, 133-146.

Pisani-Ferry, J., Rottgen, N., Sapir, A., Tucker, P., & Wolff, G. B. (2016). Europe after Brexit: A proposal for a continental partnership (Vol. 25). Brussels: Bruegel.

Schmidt, V., & Wood, M. (2017). The EUs new white paper underlines why Europe needs to be more open to its citizens. LSE European Politics and Policy (EUROPP) Blog.