The Semi-Detached European

The European Economic Community (EEC). It was usually referred to in English as the “Common Market”.
With the Treaty of Maastricht (1991), the EEC became the “European Community” (EC) to emphasize that it was more than just an economic process.
With the Treaty of Lisbon (2009), it became the European Union (EU), more as an expression of an aspiration than reality.
The debates were described as being “Anti and Pro-market” and often as “Pro or Anti Europe” in common usage. During and after the UK’s 2016 Referendum, the opposing sides became known as “Remainers” and “Leavers”, and the overall process of leaving became known as “Brexit”.
Throughout its history the EEC, EC, EU have claimed to speak on behalf of “Europe”. With each expansion of embership from the
original six, then nine, then ten, then 12, then 15, this became more and more a reality rather than a claim. With the collapse of the Soviet Bloc (1990) and rush of new members from Eastern and Central Europe, the claim to speak on behalf of “Europe” became more a reality for the institutions the member states had set up.