Hey everyone, so I had this question: If you have time, could you read it and tell me what you think please?
Assess the role of social and economic grouping of nations in the world today.
This is what I wrote about the EU.
Since the establishment of the European Union (EU) in 1956, the grouping of 27 member states has become a model for other intra-continental groupings as a result of the success. The EU was initially set up to integrate the economies of the member states so that there was an almost impossible likelihood of a further war occurring. Former French foreign minister – Robert Schuman, for example, realised that peace and unity after the tragic WW2 was the key to progress. The foreign minister invited Germany to join France in pooling for coal, and other sources of energy so that war between the countries was ‘materially impossible’.
Since its initiation the EU has delivered a half century of peace between the member states, as well as providing stability and encouraging prosperity. The latter was achieved by the formation of a single market between the member states, which involved the free movement of people, goods, and services within the European Union. This increased the foreign direct investment between member states, which benefited Spain for both economical and political reasons. The United Kingdom created quotas which encouraged the importation of cars from Spain, whilst reducing the exportation of cars and parts from the UK. This encouraged productivity and employment in Spain. However, this is also thought to be a factor that prevented Spain from becoming a communist country during the period of soviet Russia. Therefore, the single market created by the EU, can be said to have protected the economy of Spain by preventing communism and encouraging productivity.
The EU has had positive social impacts too. The monetary union means that all countries but Denmark and the United Kingdom will be required to have the Euro as their currency. The creation of a single currency reduces the need for money exchange for travellers. This is an incentive for employment migrants, as well as European tourists. The single currency will allow skilled workers to migrate to countries in which there will be very little language barriers to seek work. The money generated by the new workers will often be placed into the host economy or the citizen’s home economy. Either way, both economies are part of the European Union. Similarly, the development of infrastructure such as the Trans-European Networks (TEN) enables services such the Eurostar to operate, which allows the easy movement of citizens between the EU member states. The main effect of this is increased migration, which can be witnessed by the large influx of ‘Poles’ (Polish people) over the last half decade, with most seeking manual labour work. The increased work force in the United Kingdom has had both positive and negative effects for the current British population. The increased prevalence of skilled Polish workers means that unemployment levels in boroughs like Hackney has increased significantly. However, whilst this has prevented many youths from obtaining jobs, it has also reduced cultural tension, by providing culturally diverse services, and insight into different traditions to the population.
An aspect which is rarely mentioned is the EU’s influence on health of populations in member states. As mentioned previously, the ‘single market’ which has been introduced also allows the free movement of citizens to seek education. Similarly, in many cases Doctors are able to practice in other EU countries, providing they go through an additional process. Europe is therefore known to have one of the highest doctors per patient ratios in the world.
To some extent, this information suggests that the EU is important in regards to health. This is true, but I also believe that TNCs play a larger role - especially in countries in Europe. GlaxosmithKline, a pharmaceutical TNC, has its headquarters in West London. Anti-retroviral drugs are one of the major research points for the corporation, to combat HIV/AIDS, which is most prevalent in Africa, but is also high in countries like Russia, where intravenous use of drugs is affecting a great portion of the working age males. The quaternary economic sector of the UK means that Glaxosmithkline is able to carry out research, and provide these drugs to the patients in Russia to sustain their life.
This has led me to think that TNCs generally have a more important role than the EU (for example), when it comes to health. Although, some may argue that the ‘single market’ created by the EU has allowed TNCs to operate on a global scale (in this case, between member states)
Please bear in mind, I am not very good at writing Essays. I was trying to think about what my teacher usually tells me to do better in my previous essays. I really need to improve my technique, because I want to do well in the exam.
I've decided that every two weeks I will practice and essay - one for human, one for physical - alternating.