108 SAJEMS NS Vol I (1998) No I 

Economic and Political Initiatives of European 
Integration for the Period 1945-1992 

W Vivien 

Department of Economics, Potchefstroom University for CHE 

TF J Steyn 

Departme1l1 of Business Manageme1l1, Potchefstroom University for CHE 

ABSTRACT 

The integration of the European Communities (EC, today EU) has been described 
as one of the most successful examples of economic integration worldwide. This 
study examines the reason for this success from two perspectives. Firstly, the 
economic success of EC integration for the period 1945 to 1992 is investigated. It 
is concluded that, notwithstanding difficulties experienced, the economic 
integration process represents the EC's greatest achievement. An example of this 
is the completion of the EC internal market through the European Economic 
Community (EEC) customs union and the EC-92 programme. Secondly, the 
investigation focuses on the political success of EC integration. The evaluation 
shows that political powerplay endangered and inhibited the process of economic 
integration in the EC. 

INTRODUCTION 

Much has been written on economic and political integration in general, and on 
ECIEU integration in panicular. Different aspects and stages of EC integration 
have been placed under the spotlight. This study attempts to highlight a wider 
angle with the focus on mainly two aspects. The first aspect refers to the launching 
of successful and unsuccessful integration initiatives. The second aspect is to 
ascertain why some initiatives were successful, and others not. The study will seek 

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SATES NR Vol 1 (1998) Nr 1 109 

to answer these questions by comparing economic reasons for EC integration with 
political ones. The relative successes and failures will also be highlighted. 

However, to put the analysis into context, the concept of economic integration and 
the EC as an example thereof, will firstly be defined. Thereafter the rationale for 
Western European integration following the Second World War will be discussed. 
This will set the scene for an inquiry into the economic and political merits of EC 
integration. 

DEFINITION OF ECONOMIC I!Io.'TEGRATION 

Balassa (1%1 :1) viewed economic integration inter alia as a process. This process 
comprises both a "negative" and a "positive" integration stage. "Negative" 
integration implies the removal of existing crade barriers between countries 
(finbergen, 1954:122), while "positive" integration means the establishment and 
co-ordination of regulatory frameworks and economic measures into a common 
policy (Mayer, 1990:79). These two stages have the combined effect of drawing 
national economies closer together. 

Against this background, five different forms of economic integration may 
be distinguished. These include a free trade area. customs union. common 
market, an economic union and a monetary union (Matthews, 1987:60(61), In 
general these forms involve varying degrees of complexity. Free trade areas focus 
only on "negative" integration, as tariffs and quotas between counrries are 
eliminated. A customs union adds a common external tariff on imports from non-
members to the free trade area characteristics. In addition, a common market 
provides for the free movement of goods and factors of production between 
members states. Together with the above, an economic union also facilitates 
common policy formulation in certain fields of economic activity (Matthews, 
1987:61). A monetary union extends the concept of an economic union to 
common policy formulation in all fields of economic activity, as well as the use of 
the same currency by all member countries. Where the same currency is not used, 
the respective currencies are totally and irreversibly convertible, while their 
exchange rates are irrevocably fixed to each other. In agdition, capital movements 
are completely free in fully integrated financial markets (Anon, 1993:209,219). 

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110 SAJEMS NS Vol I (1998) No 1 

TIlE EC AS AN EXAMPLE OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION 

The EEC Treaty of 1957 provided for the creation of a customs union among its 
six signatories. In July 1968 all tariffs belWeen the six EEe members were 
abolished and a common external tariff came into operation (European 
Communities, 1971 :32). This completed the customs union stage. 

In tenns of Article 2 of the EEC Treaty the customs union was to develop 
into at least a common market, and preferably into an economic union (Vaughan, 
1976:75). Due to EC policy development in reaction to the economic 
circumstances at the time, the realisation of the common market ideal was 
somewhat lost during the 1970s and early 1980s (Robinson, 1992:68). The EC-92 
initiative (on completion of the internal market) was therefore required to put new 
life into the effort. 

Overtures towards an EC economic union were made in due course. 
Eventually an even closer integrated EC was proposed with the signing of the 
Treaty on European Union, or Maastricht Treaty. In tenns of this treaty the 
European Union (EU) now strives towards closer economic, monetary, military 
and political integration (Hunnings & Hill, 1993:725-726). 

It is therefore evident that the EC started out as a customs union (one of the 
simplest fonns of integration), and is at present developing into at least a monetary 
union (one of the more complex fonns of integration). Further prospects of 
development towards a European (political) union are also raised. 

To speculate on the possible success of such an endeavour, three issues must 
be considered, namely, the rationale for European economic integration, the 
success of the economic motivation the Ee integration, and the success of the 
political motivation for EC integration. 

TWO-TIER RATIONALE FOR ECONOMIC INTEGRATION 

Contemporary integration efforts in Western Europe after the Second World War 
were mainly motivated on political and economic grounds. 

The political motive is evident from Winston Churchill's post-war call for 
Franco-German reconciliation in "a kind of United States of Europe" (Walsh & 
Paxton, 1972:14). By this he once again voiced the idea of the pan-European 
movement originating in Napoleonic times about economic co-operation 
throughout Europe. Moreover Europe rapidly divided into distinct ideological 

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SATEB NR Vol 1 (1998) Nr 1 111 

blocs after the Second World War (Van de Meerssche, 1971:71). Interest in 
economic co-operation was therefore also designed to counteract the spread of 
Communism (Swanepoel, 1959:5). 

The economic motive for integration originated in the need [0 rebuild the 
Western European economies after the war (Ligthelm, 1963:41). Europe, as a 
result of its damaged national economies, had lost its competitive position in world 
trade (Swanepoel, 1959:5). By breaking down intra-European economic barriers. 
economies of scale were realised in agriculture and industry. Economic 
integration was therefore seen as the means of restoring economic prosperity to the 
region, as well as puning an end to possible future conflict and fragmentation 
between European nations (European Communities, 1971 :3). 

Given the political and economic motives for EC integration, various efforts 
were initiated in this direction. These efforts are analysed and evaluated below. 

ECONOMIC SUCCESS 

Efforts at realizing the post-Second World War political and economic objectives 
mainly resulted in the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community 
(ECSC) in 1951 and the European Economic CommWlity (EEC) and European 
Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957 (European Communities, 1971 :3). 

The ECSC 

After a variety of integration initiatives that were launched after the Marshall Plan 
of 1947, the ECSC was formed by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the 
Netherlands and West Germany (European Communication, 1971, p.3). ECSC 
aims included conornic growth, expanded employment and a higher stabdard of 
living in its member states, by integrating coal and steel production and 
consumption. 

The ECSC Treaty provided for a stable supply of coal and steel, and their 
derivatives to the CommWlity market (Vaughan, 1976:62). This was to be 
accomplished by facilitating equal access to production sources in the CommWlity, 
establishing a framework to secure the lowest possible prices for products 
controlled within the Community, sening conditions to encourage enterprises 
expand production with a commitment to exploit national resources optimally. In 
addition, guidelines were set to promote general growth of international trade and 

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112 SAJEMS NS Vol I (1998) No I 

suitable export prices, modernisation and expansion of production capabilities, 
improvement in the quality of products and better working conditions and 
standards of living for workers in the industries falling under the Community. 

All of these objectives, save the last one, relate to economic conditions. The 
ECSC can therefore be seen as an initiative towards Western European economic 
integration. The establislunent of improved working conditions and standards of 
living, however. represented a social dimension of the ECSC. 

The ECSC initiative was significant on three accounts. Firstly, ECSC 
integration minimised the possibility of future war between former Western 
European adversaries (Wegs, 1984:147). Secondly, through an experiment of 
sectoral economic integration, the ECSC provided the first realistic method of 
progressively integrating Western Europe. By providing for a common import 
tariff on coal and steel to be phased in over a five year period. visions were 
created for a future integration effort (Ligthelm, 1963:44). Lastly, the ECSC 
prepared Europeans to "think European". With the free movement of labour in 
integrated industries, social side-effects like for example the provision of housing 
and social security, moved into the supra-national sphere (Lane. 1985:226). This 
promoted progress in future integration efforts. 

It follows therefore that the ECSC as an economic initiative of Western 
European integration did not exist in a vacuwn. It necessarily introduced social 
side-effects as well as political and military realities. 

TheEEC 

The EEC and Euratom treaties of 1957 were concluded between the same 
countries as the ECSC Treaty. The EEC Treaty aimed at creating a common 
market between the signatories, as well as the progressive approximation of their 
respective economic policies (Vaughan, 1976:75). . 

To succeed. a range of prospects were set up. These included the 
elimination of customs duties and quantitative trade restrictions, as well as all other 
restrictions with the effect of impeding trade between members. and the removal 
of obstacles to the free movement of products, persons. services and capital among 
members. Provision was made for measures to co-ordinate national policies. and 
to align national laws of member countries in order to facilitate proper functioning 
of the common market. Calls were made for the establishment of a common 
customs tariff, commercial policy towards non-members, agricultural policy and 
transport policy. Procedures to ensure fair competition in the common market, and 

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SATEB NR Vol 1 (1998) Nr 1 113 

to correct any imbalance of payments were created. The European Social Fund 
and European Investment Bank were established to promote the standard of living 
of workers, to improve employment opportunities in the Community and to allow 
for economic expansion. Lastly, the economic and social development of overseas 
countries (former colonies) and member territories was encouraged. 

These prospects mainly focused on aspects of economic integration. However, the 
co-ordination of national policies, the creation of the Social Fund and the 
facilitation of economic and social development of colonies and territories added a 
supra-national dimension to the proposed common market. The Social Fund also 
conferred a social dimension on the EEC while the responsibility towards the 
economic and social development of former colonies provided a framework for a 
common foreign policy. With these development the EC surely moved into the 
ambit of an economic union. 

The initial success of the EEC can be illustrated by the economic 
performance of its members from 1958 to 1962. Industrial output in France rose 
by 30 percent, and in West-Germany by 39 percent. In the Netherlands the figure 
amounted to 44 percent, and in Italy to 73 percent. By 1962 trade among EEC 
members picked up by 130 percent on the 1958 level and the gross domestic 
product (GDP) of the EEC also increased by 25 percent for the four year period 
(Smith, 1985:448). The Netherlands and West Germany suffered because of a 
shortage of labour. However, due to the mobility of labour caused by the 
Community, migratory workers were able to aIleviate this problem, While 
simultaneously reducing the level of unemployment in the south, e.g. Italy (Smith, 
1985:448). 

Euratom 

The Euratom Treaty provided for the co-ordination. augmentation and qualified 
control of nuclear policies in prescribed fields of members' nuclear activities. 
These prescribed fields of activity included nuclear research, nuclear industrial 
activities, nuclear security control and international atomic affairs (Polach, 
1964:71-72). 

Euratom progressed weIl. When by 1969 the draft 1970 to 1974 Euratom 
programme was submitted, it contained a request to authorize the extension of its 
activities to non-nuclear scientific research. The request was granted, and Euratom 
was allowed to conduct nuclear research under contract and to undertake projects 
in conjunction with non-EC European states (European Communities, 1971 :31-
32). 

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114 SAJEMS NS Vol 1 (1998) No 1 

Economic difficulties of the 1970s and early 1980s 

It is therefore evident that initial economic integration as represented by the 
ECSC, EEC and Euratom had succeeded. Difficulties were, however, encountered 
during the 1970s and early 198Os. The EC economic decline during this period can 
be largely attributed to EC reaction to the economic circumstances of the era. 

These circumstances are related to a variety of events. The failed Bretton 
Woods system of fixed exchange rates led to monetary instability and a negative 
influence on world trade, let alone the EC (Matthews, 1987:47). 

The oil shocks of 1973 and 1979 created inflationary pressure as well as deficits in 
EC balances of payments (Seers, 1982:5). The detrimental effect was 
compounded by the fact that by 1973 imported oil represented 64 percent of EC 
energy consumption (Kerr, 1977:122). 

Traditional EC shipbuilding, steel, textile and clothing industries were 
increasingly exposed to competition from Japan and the newly industrialized 
countries (Seers, 1982:5). Local EC markets in new industries like electronics. 
were dominated by multi-national organizations from Japan and the US, as EC 
productivity improvements decreased. This depressed EC producers' market share 
in the industries concerned. In addition, demand for EC products decreased as 
import-substituting industrialisation increased in the developing world (Seers, 
1982:5). 

EC unemployment increased from 2,9 percent in 1975 to 10,7 percent in 
1986 as a result of deflationary measures taken to counteract inflation (Goodman, 
1992:101). The EC economy was also over-regulated to protect it from extra-EC 
competition. Integration in fields such as the environment, foreign, regional and 
social policy were widened (Steyn, 1994:84-123). 

EC economic performance by the mid-198Os was therefore disappointing. 
The use of non-tariff barriers (over-regulation) resulted in the fragmentation of the 
EC internal market a:1d the forfeiting of benefits from economies of scale. The 
most efficient procedures were prevented from being implemented, instability in 
currency markets inhibited intra-EC trade and specialization, technological 
progress, levels of investment and ultimately, economic growth, lagged behind 
(Featherstone, 1990:3). EC economic performance fell behind in GDP growth 
and productivity to that of the USA and especially Japan (Goodman, 1992:95-
101). EC unemployme'lt levels also exceeded those of the USA and Japan. A 
case of "Eurosclerosis" was therefore diagnosed with the EC. 

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The most imponant measure taken to rectify this situation was the formulation of 
the EC-92 programme in completion of the EC common market. 

EC-92 and the Maastricht Treaty 

The EC-92 programme was designed to complete the common market envisaged 
by the EEC Treaty of 1957. thereby relaunching the Communities after the 
economic malaise of the 19705 and early 1980s. 

The EC-92 programme was an effort to remove non-tariff trade barriers 
(i.e. physical. tecl:U1ical and fiscal) between EC members. in order to integrate the 
individual markets of member states into a growing and expanding single market 
of 320 million people. In addition, the expanding market was to be facilitated by 
ensuring the free movement of goods, labour, services and capital within the area 
of greatest economic advantage (Commission of European Communities, 1985:4-
5). 

The Maastricht Treaty was inter alia designed to carry forward the vision 
of the EEC Treaty by progressively approximating the economic policies of EC 
members. Two of its basic principles were to secure EC economic and monetary 
union and to aspire towards EC economic cohesion (Anon, 1992:8-13). 

Evaluation 

It is therefore clear that, notwithstanding the difficulties experienced. economic 
integration represents the EC's greatest success. Economic integration carried 
Western Europe from its post-Second World War position of destruction and 
despair to one of the three main hubs of global economic development and trade. 

This fact can be illustrated by comparing population and GDP statistics. By 
1990 the EC countries represented 6,2 percent of the global population. but 
produced 26,96 percent of global output. The world GDP per capita income was 
$4 221, while for the EC it was $18 369 (Anon, 1994:3). 

POLITICAL SUCCESS? 

One of the motives for EC integration was political. As integration involves a 
political will to effectuate successful co-operation between countries. politics has, 

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116 SAJEMS NS Vol I (1998) No 1 

through the years, played an important role in EC integration. This can be 
illustrated by evaluating political initiatives aimed at enhancing economic 
integration. 

The CouncU of Europe 

In May 1948 the Council of Europe was created with the idea of establishing 
formal measures for political and economic integration in Western Europe (Van de 
Meersche. 1971: 103-105). 

Continental members were of the opinion that a European federation with 
supra-national institutions governing and administrating Europe, was the way to 
structure the Council's activities. TIle UK held a contrary point of view, namely 
that because of her special relationship with the Commonwealth and the USA. she 
was not able to cede any sovereignty to supra-national European institutions (Van 
de Meerssche. 1971: 107-114). 

A compromise decision accommodated both points of view. The Council 
consisted of two bodies. namely a Committee of Ministers comprising the foreign 
ministers of member countries (the British viewpoint). and a Consultative 
Assembly of Representatives or European Assembly constituted from members of 
parliament of member states (the Continental viewpoint) (Walsh & Paxton, 
1972:8). 

As Scandinavian members of the Council supported the UK's vision of 
European co-operation rather than political integration in a federation, the Council 
only discussed European political integration, but was not able to take any 
concrete steps in that direction. This political initiative therefore did not contribute 
towards meaningful Western European integration. 

The European Defence Community and European Political Community 

Another example of a failed political integration initiative in Western Europe 
followed the success of the ECSC initiative in 1952. After the outbreak of the 
Korean War in June 1950, the USA campaigned for West German reannament to 
withstand a possible Soviet attack on Western Europe (Hughes, 1981 :463). To 
prevent West Germany from abusing her reinstated military capabilities merely 
five years after the end of the Second World War, the French proposed a 
European Army for the common defence of Western Europe (Vaughan, 1976:56). 

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SATEB NR Vol I (1998) Nr 1 117 

This would have facilitated West German rearmament under supra-national 
European control. On 27 May 1952. a treaty setting up the European Defence 
Community (EDC) was signed in Paris (Van de Meerssche, 1971 :135). 

The existence of a European Army without a European political control 
mechanism contained potential problems. As the same six countries were members 
of both the ECSC and the EDC. a proposal was accepted for the integration of the 
ECSC and EDC into a European Political Community (EPC) (Van de Meerssche, 
1971:138). However, due to a number of national and international reasons 
(Steyn, 1994:28-30) the EDC Treaty was never ratified by the national parliaments 
of the contracting countries. The EDC and EPC initiatives at political integration 
in Western Europe thus both failed, while the ECSC's attempt at economic 
integration survived. 

This experience illustrated the failure of political integration to keep up with the 
pace set by the economic success of the ECSC. 

The Bad Godesberg Agreement 

During the latter part of 1960 the French President, Charles de Gaulle, launched a 
drive towards political integration of the EEC countries on the basis of a political 
confederation of EEC states. De Gaulle stressed that co-operation between 
countries could be accomplished on political, economic, cultural and even military 
levels through discussions between national governments. Specialist organizations 
like the ECSC or Euratom, were to assist national governments in planning and 
discussions, but these organizations were to stay subordinate to the governments 
(Van de Meerssche, 1971:205-206). 

During February 1961 a summit of EEC leaders convened in Paris to 
discuss the formation of a political union. After a second round of negotiations in 
July 1961, a declaration (the Bad Godesberg agreement) was issued. This 
declaration called for the proposed political integration to take on definite form by 
means of a treaty on political union (Van de Meerssche, 1971 :208-211). 

Opposition to the Bad Godesberg agreement was voiced as the Netherlands 
proposed the UK's inclusion in the initiative. The UK, however. did not suppon 
political integration due to her convictions concerning national sovereignty. By 
April 1962 opposition to the Bad Godesberg agreement mounted. The finalization 
of a treaty on political union was impossible. Political integration therefore failed 
once again. 

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118 SAIEMS NS Vol 1 (1998) No 1 

De Gaulle's response to the failure of his integration initiative resulted in the 
blocking of UK membership of the EEC in 1963 and 1967 (Steyn. 1994:57 & 67). 
It was not before 1972. after De Gaulle's departure from EC politics. that the UK, 
together with Derunark and Ireland, was able to join the Communities. Political 
sensitiveness therefore delayed a widening of EEC membership for at least ten 
years. 

The French boycott of EEC activities 

The French also boycotted EEC activities between July 1965 and January 1966. 
This was because De Gaulle perceived EEC common agricultural policy and 
institutional reforms as threatening to the national sovereignty of member Slates 
(Steyn, 1994:63). 

Something perceived to be of political nature thus effectively suspended 
progress in economic integration for six months. Without a resolution of 
differences (which cost Walter Hallstein his position as chairman of the European 
Commission). the action could have terminated the existence of EEC integration as 
it was then known. 

The Single European Act (SEA) and Maastricht Treaty 

A final example in this regard is to be found in developments surrounding the SEA 
and the Maastricht Treaty. The Maastricht Treaty can be seen as a continuation of 
the SEA of 1985. The SEA revised institutional provisions of the three 
constituting treaties of the EC (i.e. the ECSC, EEC and Euratom Treaties) to 
facilitate EC political co-operation. The Maastricht Treaty carried these 
aspirations forward by inter alia relying on principles relating to the amendment of 
EC Treaties to allow for further institutional reform, the formulation of a Common 
Foreign and Security Policy (FSP) , co-operation in the spheres of Justice and 
Home Affairs, an Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the introduction of 
conceprs like economic and social cohesion and the establishment of European 
citizenship (Hunnings & Hill, 1993:719-720). 

It is too early to c;)nunent on the success of the Maastricht Treaty. but 
observations can be made about the difficulties experienced in ratifying the Treaty 
in order to implement Its provisions. In the French referendum of September 1992 
only a slight majority in :avour of ratification of the Treaty was registered (Walsh, 

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SATEB NR Voll (1998) Nr 1 119 

1992:22-23). Denmark required two referendwns to pass a "yes" in favour of the 
Treaty (Zagorin, 1992:32-34). 

It follows that integration progress was once again hampered by factors 
perceived to be of political narure. EMU may sound to be of economic relevance, 
but the accompanying political perception about the importance of national 
sovereignty relating to central bank: independence, a national currency and 
monetary policy formulation is threatening smooth progress towards integration in 
this field. 

Evaluation 

EC political integration initiatives were in general not as successful as the 
economic ones. They mainly served to delay EC integration, rather than to 
promote it. This resulted from a variety of reasons. Strucrural clumsiness defeated 
the Council of Europe. Changing national and international political realities left 
the EDC and EPC stillborn. Convictions surrounding national sovereignity sunk 
the Bad Godesberg Agreement. Political wilfulness resulted in the French veto of 
UK membership as well as boycott of EEC activities. Reluctance to cede national 
symbols hampered ratification of the Maastricht Treaty. 

CONCLUSION 

This study defined the concept of economic integration and gave the EC (today 
EU) as an example thereof. The rationale for Western European (economic) 
integration following the Second World War was also discussed. 

In an attempt to answer the two initial questions posed, a concise exposition 
of the economic success and political failure of EC integration was set out. 
Generally the conclusion can be drawn that integration initiatives strucrured along 
economic lines of activity were more successful than were the political ones. This 
results largely from the jealousy with which the vestiges of national sovereignty 
were guarded. The unfortunate error must, however, not be made to discard all 
political efforts towards integration. Successful economic integration will not be 
possible without the political will to achieve it. 

Contemporary EC political will originated with the desire to avoid any 
future destruction like that caused by the Second World War. This is still prevalent 
today, flowing from the economic advantages successful integration has offered. 

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120 SAJEMS NS Vol I (1998) No I 

Political influences have, however, to be tempered. Integration is not to become a 
goal in itself, but should complement economic initiatives aimed at realizing the 
related economic advantages. 

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