- Define and explain The European Union in your own words
- Use key terms such as supranational accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
This lesson focuses on The European Union: describes the EU as a supranational body sharing sovereignty across its member states.
Describes the EU as a supranational body sharing sovereignty across its member states.
Key ideas
The EU as a supranational body
The European Union, established in its current form by the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, pools sovereignty: member states share decision-making in areas like trade, competition and the environment, and EU law can override national law in those fields. Its institutions — the Commission, the Council and the directly elected Parliament — blend supranational and intergovernmental elements. Supporters see pooled sovereignty as amplifying small states' influence; critics, including supporters of the UK's 2016 vote to leave, argue it dilutes democratic control at the national level.
The United Nations: promise and limits
Founded in 1945 after the Second World War, the UN aims to prevent another global conflict through diplomacy, peacekeeping and international law. The General Assembly gives every member state one vote but its resolutions are mostly non-binding, while the Security Council can authorise sanctions or military action — yet any of the five permanent members can veto such moves, which is why the Council often deadlocks over major conflicts. The UN's record is therefore mixed: a vital forum and aid coordinator, but constrained whenever great powers disagree.
Key term — supranational: A supranational body holds authority above its member states in specific areas, so its rules can bind national governments — the EU is the leading example.
What makes the EU supranational rather than just international?
EU law can override national law in its areas of competence, placing authority above member states.
Answer: EU law can override national law in its areas of competence, placing authority above member states.
- 'The UN can force any country to obey it' The UN has no army of its own and its most powerful body, the Security Council, can be blocked by a single permanent member's veto. Its authority depends on member states' cooperation.
- 'Globalisation has ended sovereignty' Globalisation constrains sovereignty — states cannot fully control capital flows, data or pollution — but states still choose treaties, set borders and leave organisations, as Brexit showed. Sovereignty is pressured, not abolished.
Practice
The US, UK, France, Russia and China; each can veto Security Council decisions, blocking action even if all others agree.
Just cause and last resort (also acceptable: legitimate authority, proportionality of ends, reasonable chance of success).
When one state's defensive military build-up frightens neighbours into arming too, escalating tension even though no side wanted war.
In 1945, to maintain international peace and prevent another world war.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "supranational"?
Evaluate: 'The UN is useless because it cannot stop all wars.'
- The European Union: describes the EU as a supranational body sharing sovereignty across its member states.
- The EU as a supranational body: The European Union, established in its current form by the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, pools sovereignty: member states share decision-making in areas like trade, competition and the environment, and EU law can override national law in those fields.
- Security Council: The UN Security Council is the body responsible for international peace and security; its five permanent members — the US, UK, France, Russia and China — each hold a veto over its decisions.
- Watch out for: 'The UN can force any country to obey it'