The European Community

Abstract

After the Second World War, West European nations obtained experience in co‐operation through various organisations. But the European Community (EC) goes further, being a supranational organisation for integrating the economic policies of member nations. The principle was first applied in 1951 with the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). It was extended by the 1957 Treaty of Rome which set up the European Economic Community (EEC) to develop a ‘common market’ between the six member countries and having its own form of government and institutions. Britain originally remained aloof, forming instead the European Free Trade Area (EFTA). But the success of the EEC and the growth of Western Europe as Britain's main overseas market led to her eventually joining in 1973. The other members are now France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, the Irish Republic, Greece, Spain and Portugal.