The four freedoms of the European Union

Seminar paper from the year 2018 in the subject Politics - Topic: European Union, grade: 1,0, Åbo Akademi University, language: English, abstract: This paper gives answers to the role of the four fundamental freedoms in the EU (free movement of persons, goods, services and capital), their shaping factors and importance throughout history until today. In the first step, the fundamental freedoms are characterized and distinguished. Afterwards, a detailed look at their history is taken and their most important milestones discussed. Furthermore, their development is traced. Subsequently, two exemplary recent events, the British exit out of the European Union and the European refugee crisis, are examined. On their basis, the importance of the four fundamental freedoms today, is discussed. Special attention is paid on the free movement of persons, as this appears to be the one which has arisen the most displease. In connection to this, possible implications are weighted and the actual discontent of the free movement of persons questioned.