Italy

= Country Research  = You will answer the following questions about your country. You should have at least 3 sources (one must be a book) and must have at least 8 bullets for each question. Save this file onto student documents with your name in the title. Then make a link to it on your wikipage. It is due on Thursday at the beginning of class.

Is your country a member of the EU?
Italy was one of the six original founders of the European Union (EU) and Italy remains in the EU today. The EU was a result of the combination of European coal and steel communities. Second Italy decided to join the European Atomic Energy Association. These treaties eventually led to the EU. Italy adopted the EU in 1957 along with the five other original countries. Today the EU has grown and there are 27 member countries. Italian people are proud to be members of the EU. Italy has encouraged any European integration including the single market, the Euro, and the Schengen convention.

If it is, how and when did it become a member?
The EU was made to help Europe gain a peaceful and interdependent nation. Italy became an official member of the EU in 1957. Italy and five other countries became an official member of the EU by signing several agreements first. Italy signed the treaty of Paris to begin. The treaty of Paris created the European Coal and Steel industries. Later Italy decided to sign the treaty of Rome which established the European Atomic Energy Association. These six countries including Italy then formed the EU.

What are the pros and cons of joining the EU for your country?
Cons: Pros:
 * The EU has been slightly controversial because it has led to a shortage of competitiveness and slow growth.
 * Most of the countries in the EU use the Euro which could eventually cause the entire Union to collapse if one country decides to bail.
 * Italy decided to support the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. This caused dismay to other members of the EU and this could cause Italian invasion and a series of other conflict.
 * Italy hasn’t really supported immigration of people from other EU countries especially Eastern Europeans. However today Italy is trying to suffice with this EU rule.
 * Italy closest trade partners are with other countries in the EU.
 * Italy earns 60 percent of its total trade profit by trading with these counties in the EU.
 * The EU gives Italy freedom, justice, and security.
 * Italy and other EU countries can all work together for a common cause.

How does the EU benefit your country, whether they are a member or not?
The EU has helped Italy prosper economically. First the free circulation of products and people has benefited Italy in the past 50 years. The EU has also assisted Italy because the EU provides funding for education in Italy. Also the EU supplies Italy with student exchange programs for Italian students and universities. In addition, the EU grants funding for disadvantaged areas located in Italy. By raising taxes the EU provided Italy with social protection. The common market has assisted Italy in trading with all countries participating in the EU. Furthermore, passports and custom checks have been wiped out of Italy. Finally, Italy has adapted to the EU’s common currency called the Euro. This concludes, after Italy joined the EU the country experienced a phase of large economic growth. Website Sources: http://www.civitas.org.uk/eufacts/FSMS/MS5.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm#econ http://students.ou.edu/C/Caitlin.M.Cavanagh-1/documents/italy%20paper.pdf http://www.yale.edu/macmillan/pier/resources/lessons/eu.htm Book Source: Winter, Jane K. __Italy__. Ser. 2. New York: Marshal Cavendish Corporation, 1995.