What is the European Union, and what are the arguments for and against membership?
The European Union: its origins and aims, its main institutions, the rights and obligations of membership, and the arguments for and against belonging, including the UK's departure and Northern Ireland's position.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the European Union. Covers the origins and aims of the EU, its main institutions, the rights and obligations of membership including the single market, the arguments for and against belonging, and the UK's departure (Brexit) and Northern Ireland's position, presented in a balanced way.
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What this dot point is asking
You need to explain what the European Union is, how it works, and the arguments for and against membership. CCEA examiners reward knowledge of the EU's origins and aims, its main institutions, the rights and obligations of membership such as the single market and free movement, and a balanced account of the case for and against belonging, including the UK's departure and Northern Ireland's position. Present the debate neutrally: the aim is to explain both sides, not to argue for one.
What the EU is and why it began
The single market and free movement
A central feature of the EU is the single market.
The main institutions
The EU works through several institutions, each with a role.
- The European Commission proposes laws and runs the EU day to day.
- The European Parliament, directly elected by citizens of member states, debates and approves laws and the budget.
- The Council (of ministers from member states) makes decisions and passes laws.
- The Court of Justice interprets EU law and settles disputes.
Arguments for and against membership
The UK's departure and Northern Ireland
Try this
Q1. State two aims of the European Union. [2 marks]
- Cue. Any two: peace, free trade, the free movement of goods, services, people and money, cooperation between members.
Q2. What is the single market? [2 marks]
- Cue. It lets goods, services, money and people move freely between member states.
Q3. Give one argument for and one against EU membership. [2 marks]
- Cue. For: single market, free movement, cooperation; against: loss of some sovereignty, budget contributions, rules on free movement.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA Unit 2 (style)6 marksDescribe the main aims and institutions of the European Union.Show worked answer →
A knowledge question testing AO1. Cover aims and institutions.
Origins and aims: the EU grew out of cooperation after the Second World War to make war between European states less likely and to build prosperity. Its aims include peace, free trade through a single market, the free movement of goods, services, people and money, and cooperation between member states.
Institutions: the European Commission proposes laws and runs the EU day to day; the European Parliament, directly elected, debates and approves laws and the budget; the Council, made up of ministers from member states, makes decisions and laws; and the Court of Justice interprets EU law.
A top answer names the aims (peace, the single market, free movement) and the main institutions and what each does.
CCEA Unit 2 (style)10 marksExplain the arguments for and against EU membership.Show worked answer →
An explanation question testing AO1 and AO2. Give a balanced account.
Arguments for: access to the single market and free trade; the free movement of people for work and study; cooperation on issues such as the environment and security; and a stronger collective voice in the world.
Arguments against: membership means accepting EU laws and a loss of some national control (sovereignty); paying into the EU budget; and rules on free movement that some wish to control themselves.
The UK's decision: in the 2016 referendum the UK voted to leave the EU, and it left in 2020. Supporters of leaving stressed sovereignty and control; supporters of remaining stressed trade and cooperation.
A balanced answer weighs both sides even-handedly and notes the outcome.
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Sources & how we know this
- CCEA GCSE Government and Politics specification — CCEA (2017)