THE EUROPEAN UNION, A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW POSITIVE GLOBALISATION CAN BE.

A political and economic union of 28 countries, with an estimated population of about 513 million.
Although a long way was previously taken along with ideas to consolidate, the European Union
was born officially on November 1, 1993 mainly thanks to Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands and Belgium, to promote and welcome the common integration and governance of
the States and peoples of Europe.

today more than ever we can say that being part of this multinational organisation, the
advantages over disadvantages are overwhelming. It has brought development to all the countries
that make it up, giving them more importance and scope in addition to a great influence on the
world economy.

As reported by the International Monetary Fund The European Union is the second largest
economy in the world in nominal terms (after the United States) and according to purchasing
power parity or PPP (after China). The European Union's GDP 1 was estimated to be $18.8 trillion
(nominal) in 2018, representing ~22% of global economy (Nominal global GDP).

But not all that glitters is gold , going back to the economy Within the European Union, trade
between countries is not regulated by tariffs, however with foreign trade the opposite is true, and
even taxes can be very high. In spite of the above, the European Commission, for this reason, signs
trade association treaties with developing countries so that they can sell their products within the
Union.

In addition, citizens can move easily between all of the countries in the EU is completely free and
open. “This opens up many more job and education opportunities for people. Especially ones who
are in poor countries.”2

all this began to work in 1995 with the Schengen Agreement to suppress the common borders
between the member countries and to establish common controls in the exteriors of those
countries. Contrary to this United Kingdom it never approved the Schengen agreement although it
was within the European union, then came the Brexit referendum where a large number of people
voted to leave the union amassing a total of 51.9% of the vote.

But Why that happened?

Most people who are against permanency within the European Union believe that the main
reason to leave is sovereignty.

Lord Ashcroft's polling team shows that Nearly half (49%) of leave voters said the biggest single
reason for wanting to leave the European Union was "the principle that decisions about the UK
should be taken in the United Kingdom".

1
Gross Domestic Product: the total value of goods and services produced by a country in a year. Source :
dictionary.cambridge.org
2
Source: https://futureofworking.com/11-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-the-european-union/
On the other hand, many people in Great Britain believe that the complete opening of the borders
directly affects the welfare of people in their own country, the massive immigration promoted by
most European governments is a threat to the kingdom.

Lord Ashcroft's poll also discovered that 33% of leave voters said the main reason was that leaving
"offered the best chance for the UK to regain control over immigration and its own borders."' This
despite the fact that most migration to Britain was from outside the European Union, and entirely
under the remit and control of United Kingdom authorities.

Nevertheless, there is not much to worry about, there are still people in the UK who have reasons
to remain in the European group, these are the words of football player David Beckham: “We live
in a vibrant and connected world where together as a people we are strong. For our children and
their children, we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone.”

JK Rowling Author of Harry Potter books said: “How can a retreat into selfish and insecure
individualism be the right response when Europe faces genuine threats, when the bonds that tie
us are so powerful, when we have come so far together? How can we hope to conquer the
enormous challenges of terrorism and climate change without cooperation and collaboration?”

I think that those who are in favour of leaving the union are supposing that this action will not
affect UK at all, doe to the fact, that this monarchy state is part of the Commonwealth of nations a
unique political association of 53 member states, nearly all of them former territories of the British
Empire. Actually it could be considered a modern empire in the 21st century with a strong
economical tie.

After the Brexit the most recent polling by BMG Research for The Independent certainly appears
to show people are moving towards a position where they think Britain should stay in the
European Union because there are more the advantages than disadvantages. Just look at this, is
the major tourist destination, attracting visitors from outside of the Union and citizens travelling
inside it. Internal tourism is made more convenient by the Schengen treaty and the euro. All
citizens of the European Union are entitled to travel to any member state without the need of a
visa. France, is the world's number one tourist destination for international visitors, followed by
Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany. It is worth noting, however, that a significant
proportion of international visitors to EU countries are from other member states.

To conclude The EU was conceived to be an organisation that benefits the majority and the
population, Over the years, has evolved from a common market to an economic and monetary
union whose main defining features are the free movement of people, goods and capital, a
customs tariff and a common currency, as well as an economic and monetary policy of its own;
these benefits have not only been reflected in their countries, but also in the rest of the world.

And you, Would you like to be surrounded by walls?

Camilo Julio Bolivar

Universidad de Cartagena – Foreign Langugaes