Democrat
European Union and the 'Third World'
Part 1 - Post World War II arrangements
by Ron Dorman
In western Europe the economic system of capitalism
emerged from World War II in a very much weakened condition and a
desire of its peoples that their continent should never again be the
cause and seat of armed conflict. These factors did much to determine
future events.
Another factor which helped to shape the continent
of Europe and world after World War II was the Soviet Union. This
country had emerged from the war with 20 million dead and a devastated
industry, but was seen at the time by many to be a main force in the
allied victory over fascism and a friend of peoples in the `Third
World' struggling for national independence.
Demand for independence
Outside the continent of Europe, peoples living in
colonial territories not only began to demand national independence
but gradually acquire capacity to achieve their aims in a changed
post-war world. Some colonial powers preventing their independence
were among countries which signed the Treaty of Rome (France, Belgium
and Netherlands) when the European Economic Community (EEC) was founded
in 1957. This treaty represented a new grouping of sections of European
capitalism to save itself and combat what it perceived as a threat
from the Soviet Union and national liberation movements in the colonies.
It should come as no surprise therefore to find provisions
were made in Articles 131-136 of Part 4 of the Treaty of Rome for
non-European countries and territories which had special relations
with a Treaty member state to have association status with the EEC.
Although all 26 countries which acquired association with the EEC
at this stage were dependencies or trustee territories of EEC states,
Article 238 provides for a special association with reciprocal rights
and obligations between the EEC and any third country.
Tarriffs avoided
Another reason why special provisions in the Treaty
were to be expected was France, a key founder member of the EEC, treated
her overseas territories as part of France and was not prepared to
apply external tariffs to them. To have done so would have meant imposing
a tax on French investment profits from these territories which mainly
went to France. Conversely, French exports enjoyed preferential treatment
in these territories.
In the first five years of the Rome Treaty, provision
was made for any reductions in tariffs on trade between EEC countries
to be extended to 26 associated territories - 22 of which were French
possessions in Africa. In return these countries extended `Most Favoured
Nation' treatment to imports from all Community countries.
A European Development Fund (EDF) to finance investment
projects in associated territories 1958-62 was provided for in a Treaty
annex. Germany and France were to provide two thirds of finance in
equal shares with about 90% of expenditure in French dependent territories.
Penetration of markets
Thus a way was cleared for export of goods, services
and capital by all other EEC states, as well as France, to penetrate
markets of associated countries and purchase cheap imports and raw
materials from them in a deal disadvantagous to these developing countries.
In the light of experience of the initial five years
of operation of the Treaty, provision was made for the EEC Council
to determine what future action should take place which included most
overseas territories becoming independent states.