Interdependence P132-158

Interdependence: We are connected with others in the world, we depend on them & what we do can affect them.
Sometimes called a global village-Ireland depends on a lot of food from the developing word & they depend on us to
buy them. Need more political cooperation e.g. European Union-EU free trade tax zone. Globalisation: Trade, travel,
goods idea and people move freely across national borders.

Transnational Corporations (TNCs): (Multinational companies) Large powerful companies that work in at least 2
countries. Main office in developed world. Factories in developing world because cheap labour and taxes and laws
are less strict for working conditions. E.g. Nike, Primark. Farmers are also treated unfairly.

Fairtrade: Better pay &working conditions as products are bought directly from the farmers & businesses. (N.B.
P. 142 Benefits) Ethical Trade: Companies meet standards that protect workers' rights & the environment.

European Union (EU): is unique economic and political union between 28 countries that together cover much of the
-continent. Advantages of being a member-Peace: There was not a single war between members of the community
since it's started in 1952-before there was endless bloodshed. Economic growth: Boosts the economy, payments to
farmers through CAP & grants for job schemes. Freedom: European citizens are free to travel, live and work in any
European country they want. It's simple: less borders = more freedom. It has 3 important law-making groups-1. The
European Parliament, 2. The European Commission, 3. The Council of the EU.

1. The European Parliament: 751 members(MEPS) from the 28 member states. Ireland has 11 MEPS (Members of
the European Parliament e.g. Mairead McGuinness elected every 5 years by citizens. The European Parliament
meets in Strasbourg & Brussels to supervise EU activities, debate proposals for new laws, plan EU Budget. European
Parliament President is Antonio Tanjani

2. European Commission: 28 commissioners (member from each country) approved by the European
Parliament every 5 years. It makes sure that each EU country implement EU law. It also proposes new laws to
the Parliament & manages the budget. Each member (commissioner) has a role e.g. education or health.
European Commission President is Jean-Claude Juncker. Irish Commissioner is Phil Hogan, for Agriculture &
Rural Development.

3. The council of the EU: Represents governments of EU countries-Makes laws- 2 groups ( European Council-
meeting between EU country leaders e.g. Irish Taoiseach, about law and enlargement and voting new leader every 2
1
2
years & Council of Ministers: -meeting between EU ministers). European Council President is Donald Tusk

European Court of Justice: Luxembourg-Judge from each EU country making sure EU law is not broke & treaties are
correctly interpreted.

European Central Bank (ECB): Headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. Manages the Euro, decides interest rates for
banks borrowing it which effects mortgage holders & borrowers all over Europe.

United Nations (UN): International Peace cooperation-Set up to prevent horrors like WW2 happening again- Ireland
a member since 1955, Irish forces go on peace keeping missions e.g. Syria & Lebanon. United Nations Day Oct 24th-
UN Charter (rules)=Peace& security, friendly relations between nations, fight for human rights. 5 UN bodies:
1. General Assembly(meeting of representatives from all nations in New York about new members, promoting
peace, UN Budget, Consensus=agreement that all members are happy with).2. Secretary Council(5 permanent
member states-China, France, Russian Federation, UK, USA & 10 members that change every 2 yrs, tries to resolve
wars, use economic sanction which is not trading with countries causing tension as punishment, send peace keeping
forces to the troubled areas to prevent fighting, rarely uses military action, veto=all permanent members & 4 non-
permanent members agreeing on a decision). 3. The Economic & Social Council(ECOSOC) (Promotes higher standard
of living, full employment& social progress. 4. The Secretariat- deals with UN day to day running in UN offices world
wide, implements decisions managed by Secretary General is António Guterres, voted every 5yrs. 5. International
Court of Justice in The Peace Palace, The Hague, the Netherlands, deals with trade & border disputes,15 judges that
change every 9yrs. '97-'02 Mary Robinson was UN High commissioner for Human Rights.