resu

Big dicussions are going on in my home country Sweden right now about the European Union turning into something like "The United States of Europe". I guess it's the same in other countries of Europe, and when analyzing the election results of today (to the European parliament), it's obvious that alot of people all over Europe do not vote. The main reason seems to be that people don't want Europe to turn into a federal state in which the big decisions are centralized to Brussels.

If Europe would become more integrated and move in the direction of a "United States of Europe", how would that affect Americans view on Europe? I think it would definately be seen as a "threat" in some Americans' eyes. There's no doubt Europe would be very powerful, and in the long run maybe be the next superpower of the world.. on the cost of America.

Ola
Sweden

edwords

There are two types of power in the world: economic and military. The E.U. will have a tough time becoming a major economic power unless it sheds some of its socialistic excesses: lengthy holidays, unsustainable pensions, etc. On the military front, it appears that most E.U. nations outside of the U.K. have little or no interest in spending serious amounts of money on their armed forces.

Another major challenge to the E.U. is its negative population growth, which promises to strain social expenditures in the years ahead.

Also, despite some regional differences, there aren't a whole lot of differences between the states. Other than accents and climate, there isn't all that much difference between living in New York, California or Florida. There is, on the other hand, a great deal of difference between living in Spain, Greece and Germany.

BTW, I'm a U.S. and E.U. citizen.

doctor scrumpy

EU Citizen ? Fortunately some of us refuse to see ourselves as British, we are either Scots, Welsh, Irish or English !

edwords

Here's how I view myself. My current status is American, since I've spent more time here than anyplace else, and I am a citizen. My heritage is English-German (father born in Portsmouth, mother in Hamburg). E.U. is next down on the list, simply because it's on my U.K. passport. My opinion is that the E.U., outside of being a trading block, is a poor idea and the U.K. should have no part of it. I'd rather see a revival of the concept of Churchill's union of the English-speaking peoples. The U.K. has more in common, culturally and politcially, with the U.S., Canada, Australia and so on than with France, Germany, Greece, etc.

Ash UK/US

Here here... I think it would be a mistake too.

Ash

ironporer

Just give the Huns 20 more years and theey'll be goose-steppin' again.

Meanwhile the French will arrogantly make their demands (as they cower into the most recent corner they have boxed themselves into).

Germany will try to dominate the recently incorperated members, creating their own bloc of influence with in the EU- especially since Aznar is gone now, and the "alliance" with Poland over voting rights is shot.

Overthere

good grief

Oggie Oi!

I agree. Just look at the breakdown of support in the Iraq war. It had less to do with morals than geopolitics. Germany/France (a pact made in hell) were using anti-war rhetoric in an attempt to build a bloc that neutralized the UK and any US influence in the EU. Both Germany and France desperately want to fill the power vacuum left by the collapse of the USSR and resent the global role of the Anglo-American relationship.

The bloc would never work anyhow because there is too much centuries-old animosity for the EU to be successful. The U.S. has many of its own regional and social problems, but for its size, population, and racial makeup, the nation gets along reasonably well because it does not vary too greatly from coast to coast. Same cannot be said of the EU.

doctor scrumpy

The trouble with europe is it is full of bally Johnny-foreigner types !

Manc

I live in Michigan, what's this got to do with me?

doctor scrumpy

Today Europe................Tomorrow the World !!!

Manc

Bring it on I say, If the EU conquered the USA we might get Euro 2008 on the regular TV.