Integrating ideas for debates ! Learn about Debates in the Appendix “Debates”.

Before debating train in disagreeing:

Statement: Woman: You must talk to our daughter! I think she's fallen in love with Mr. Brown, who has no job and no money!

Fill in the gaps with the phrases from the box:

I don't agree that... That doesn't make sense.

That's beside the point. I admit that...

1. Man: Mr. Brown is a bad choice, but ____________________. She's too young to fall in love with anybody!

2. Man: ____________________ she's fallen in love. They're just good friends!

3. Man: ____________________. She told me yesterday that she wants to find a rich businessman to marry.

4. Man: ____________________ Mr. Brown is poor, but he's a very nice man.

Task 10. Debates: EU Skeptics vs. EU Enthusiasts

A) Read the texts below and compare two points of view about the European integration: by EU skeptics and EU enthusiasts:

a) What text is written by a EU enthusiast and what – by EU skeptic?

b) Single out the main arguments from two texts, filling in the table below. What are the strong and weak points in both positions?

The arguments will be useful for your debates

EU skeptics’ arguments	EU enthusiasts’ arguments
- - - - -	- - - - -

Text 10.1: Britain and European Integration

While many European politicians wish to move closer towards a federal Europe most British politicians support a more cautious intergovernmental approach. With this debate already initiated, there still stands the fundamental question of whether or not Britain would benefit from further integration with Europe.

There are many historical and political reasons why further European integration would not benefit the UK. Britain has had continuity of its political institutions since 1688, in comparison with some current member states that have had as many as 11 different political systems in the same period. We are very much used to the status quo, and most people feel reluctant to let centuries of tradition go to waste. British people generally feel separated from Europe in more ways than simply geographically. Britain’s insularity means we are literally separate from the rest of Europe, and have not been directly involved in either world war, but even so, we still feel a sense of pride in our nation after coming out of conflicts victorious against European enemies. British people see further integration as a threat to the national identity and culture. We do not want to be made “all European.” Britain is said to be reluctant to limit itself to an exclusively European role, partly due to the history of Britain as a world power with a massive empire, but overall it seems that the people want a balance of power on the continent, avoiding permanent commitments. The conservative approach of UK politicians has hugely influenced public opinion over the last 50 or so years. Democratically, further European integration means a loss of power and a loss of sovereignty. Already some people feel as though we are “run by Brussels,” suffering the laws and regulations which we have not approved or even had a say on – further integration would make this all the more apparent to every one of us, particularly as EU law has precedence over UK law. Europe means bureaucracy to many, and this signifies inefficient government and money wasted, but most importantly, further European integration means significant changes to democracy as we know it. As previous President of the EU, Jacques Delors, said: “Yes, we have to have transfers of sovereignty to achieve economic and monetary union.”

“It is a myth that our membership of the Community will suffocate national tradition and culture. Are the Germans any less German for being in the Community, or the French any less French? Of course they are not!” (Margaret Thatcher speaking to the Conservative Group for Europe 16th April 1975). The same is argued today. Those who oppose further integration can be said to be paranoid that Britain is under assault from Europe. That isn't really the case. In the words of the German president, Johannes Rau, in March 2001 “No-one wants to do away with the nation states and their sovereignty.” Britain would still be Britain in a “United States of Europe” because of the huge diversity and striking differences between the cultures of the member states. Britain has always been a leading global power. Today, it is a more influential power in the world because it is more dominant in Europe. It is claimed Britain is taken more seriously by America because we are strong in Europe. We have more to offer to other nations such as those in the Commonwealth if we are more integrated into Europe, too. We are their gateway to Europe. America’s former Ambassador to the UK, Ray Seitz, said: “There is a simple observation that if Britain’s voice is less influential in Paris or Bonn, it is likely to be less influential in Washington.”

Source: <http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=59798>. 31 Aug 2011

Text 10.2: Fewer frontiers, more opportunities

You can travel across most of the EU without a passport and without border checks. You can shop in another country where goods are cheaper without restrictions or additional taxes, as long as what you buy is for your own use. The single currency, the euro, allows you to compare prices directly in all the countries that use it. Travel between euro countries is easier because the costs and inconvenience of changing money have disappeared. Competition introduced by the frontier-free single market has driven quality up and prices down. Phone calls, Internet access and air travel are cheaper. As consumers, EU rules protect you from faulty or substandard products whether you buy locally or in another country. The EU also sets the highest standards for food safety. EU citizens can live, work, study and retire in another EU country. Temporary restrictions for workers from the 12 newest member states are gradually being removed.

More than two million young people have already used EU programmes to study or train in another European country. As a result, the EU schemes for educational exchanges and trans-border partnerships like Erasmus and Leonardo are bywords among students and other learners. The EU does not decide what you learn in school, but it does work to ensure that your educational and professional qualifications are properly recognised in other EU countries.

The euro (€) is probably the EU’s most tangible achievement. The single currency is shared by 16 countries (2009), representing over two thirds of the EU population. Others will follow once their economies are ready. All euro notes and coins can be used in the countries where the euro

is accepted. Each note is the same, while the coins have a common design on one side and a national emblem of their country of origin on the other side. These EU countries use the euro: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

Our society is fairer and more efficient when we do not discriminate against fellow human beings because of their nationality, gender, handicap, race or other factors. That is why EU law bans discrimination. As long ago as the 1950s, the first EU treaties contained a clear-cut rule that men and women must have equal pay for equal work. This has given the EU a pioneering role in the fight for women’s rights, which are now an integral part of all EU policies.

Source: “Panorama of the European Union”address

B) Organise Debates: “EU skeptics vs. EU enthusiasts”: get divided into two teams, one team member offers an argument, the opponent disproves it and gives an argument of his or her own, which is disproved by his opponent etc.

 Task 11. Study the EU Membership Criteria. Organize Debates on the advantages and disadvantages for our country, if it joins the European Union.

Some people say that

Advantages	Disadvantages	Neutrality
- If our country joins the EU, it will be very easy to travel; - EU is a really large market for our goods;	- Joining EU is dangerous for the us as a nation, too many youths will leave the country, like they have done in the Baltic states; - EU criteria of integration are not profitable for any economy except for the EU founding members;	- Our country should adhere to a multy-vector foreign policy, to cooperate both with the East and with the West to the best of its own interests; - It is better to cooperate profitably and be neutral, like Switzerland.