European Commission

Definition

The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties, and managing the day-to-day business of the EU. It plays a central role in contributing to global governance through its participation in various regional intergovernmental organizations (IGOs).

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The European Commission is composed of 27 Commissioners, one from each EU member state, who are appointed for a five-year term.
2. The Commission is responsible for proposing new EU laws, implementing existing laws, and monitoring compliance with EU treaties.
3. The Commission represents the EU in international negotiations and agreements, playing a key role in shaping global policy.
4. As an IGO, the European Commission contributes to global governance by coordinating the policies and actions of its member states on a wide range of issues, including trade, environment, and human rights.
5. The Commission's participation in other regional IGOs, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe, further enhances its role in global governance.

Review Questions

• Describe the primary responsibilities of the European Commission and how it contributes to the governance of the European Union.
  • The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing new legislation, implementing EU decisions, and monitoring compliance with EU treaties. It plays a central role in the governance of the EU by initiating policy, enforcing EU law, and representing the collective interests of the member states. Through these functions, the Commission contributes to the overall decision-making and policy coordination within the European Union.
• Explain how the European Commission's participation in regional intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) enhances its role in global governance.
  • As a regional IGO, the European Commission actively participates in other international organizations, such as the OSCE and the Council of Europe. This involvement allows the Commission to coordinate the policies and actions of its member states on a global scale, shaping collective responses to transnational issues. By leveraging its position within these regional IGOs, the European Commission can more effectively contribute to the articulation of collective interests, the establishment of rights and obligations, and the mediation of differences at the global level, thereby enhancing its role in global governance.
• Analyze the European Commission's influence on the formulation and implementation of global policies, and assess its impact on the overall system of global governance.
  • The European Commission's central role in proposing and implementing EU legislation, as well as its representation of the EU in international negotiations and agreements, grants it significant influence over the formulation of global policies. As a regional IGO, the Commission can coordinate the collective interests and actions of its member states, amplifying the EU's voice and impact on the global stage. Furthermore, the Commission's participation in other regional IGOs allows it to shape global governance by mediating differences, establishing norms and standards, and contributing to the articulation of collective interests on a wide range of issues, from trade and the environment to human rights and security. This multifaceted involvement in global policymaking and implementation enhances the European Commission's influence and impact on the overall system of global governance.

Related terms

European Union (EU): A political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe, with the aim of promoting peace, its values, and the well-being of its citizens.

Intergovernmental Organization (IGO): An organization composed primarily of sovereign states, or of other IGOs, established by a treaty or other agreement that acts on the collective interest of the member states.

Global Governance: The complex of formal and informal institutions, mechanisms, relationships, and processes between and among states, markets, citizens, and organizations, both inter- and non-governmental, through which collective interests on the global plane are articulated, rights and obligations are established, and differences are mediated.