The role and function of the European Community

After suffering from two world wars between 1914 and 1945, Europe was longing for a peaceful future. The Western European Countries wanted to make sure they would never fight each other again by establishing a unique partnership where they would work closely together for the benefit of all their citizens. Beside peace and stability the major goal was to establish a basis to ease the trade between countries. In 1957, six countries (Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy and …

…of 1972: 'The European Communities Act 1972 was passed by Parliament to make provision for Britain's membership of the Community. An Act of Parliament was necessary for a number of purposes but above all to make Community law applicable in the national legal system: without the Eureopean Communities Act, the Community Treaties and Community legislation - though binding on the United Kingdom at the international level - would have been of no effect internally.' (Hartley 2003, p.261)