Final answer:
Disagreements between the EU and national governments can result in tensions, impacting EU unity and effectiveness. Such conflicts may challenge the EU's ability to enforce regulations, contribute to Euroskeptic sentiment, and affect the EU's global role. Notably, these issues have led to significant events like Brexit.
Step-by-step explanation:
Disagreements between the EU government in Brussels and national governments can have significant effects on the functionality and unity of the European Union (EU). When EU member states, which all have their own individual economic, political, and cultural identities, come into conflict with the supranational policies set by the EU, it can lead to tensions and reduce the effectiveness of the EU to act with one voice on global matters. Economic pressures can make membership seem less beneficial, especially to wealthier states that feel they are subsidizing weaker economies while losing sovereign identity. Additionally, the rise of Euroskeptic sentiment within member states undermines the shared European identity that the EU aims to foster.
The repercussions of such disagreements may range from enforcement issues with EU regulations, as seen with the economic challenges of Greece and Spain's overfishing issues, to the complete withdrawal from the EU, exemplified by Brexit. These conflicts can hinder the EU's efforts to address global economic competition, security challenges posed by Russia and China, and interventions in domestic issues of member states.