Unified Europe, The future?

[TheLastOne36]

If the EU did unify europe in the near future, what would the future look lke. Would Europe be a world Power, what would happen to places like kosovo etc.

 

[WerBackIII]

Surely no. I'm sure that Bulgaria and Serbia will stay ununified. Maybe Serbia will divide on more parts, and Macedonia will be divided between Greece and Bulgaria. Russia will loose more territories. Maybe Britain will unite the Irelands. The EU will become more like one giant empire. It's likely for Turkey to join it in the far future. The others will stay the same way.

 

[Gelion]

Why are you asking about this in world history forum?

 

[sydhe]

Assuming it would act as a unit (a big if), he EU would be one of the three or four major powers of the world, along with the US, China and possibly a revived Russia. It already is there economically.

If it contained Albania and the nations of former Yugoslavia, they could turn the Field of Blackbirds into a giant memorial where Turks and Serbs could have re-enactments. I don't think Serbia could keep the province though. They could do the same for the battlefield at Mohacs, with the advantage that they could have two reenactments, one with the Turks winning and one with them losing.

 

[knez]

Assuming it would act as a unit (a big if), he EU would be one of the three or four major powers of the world, along with the US, China and possibly a revived Russia. It already is there economically.

not for very long

If it contained Albania and the nations of former Yugoslavia, they could turn the Field of Blackbirds into a giant memorial where Turks and Serbs could have re-enactments. I don't think Serbia could keep the province though. They could do the same for the battlefield at Mohacs, with the advantage that they could have two reenactments, one with the Turks winning and one with them losing.

 

[amadeus]

Too many languages, too many separate ethnic groups. I don't think it would work very well. A common currency and free trade zone seem to be fine, but taking it to any sort of political or social level will only lead to catastrophe.

 

[Winner]

If the EU did unify europe in the near future, what would the future look lke. Would Europe be a world Power, what would happen to places like kosovo etc.

Could you be more vague?

Europeans don't have any desire to become a world sheriff. They'd expand their influence by other means.

 

[Winner]

Too many languages, too many separate ethnic groups. I don't think it would work very well. A common currency and free trade zone seem to be fine, but taking it to any sort of political or social level will only lead to catastrophe.

Not really. EU could become a federal state, but it would have to be careful about keeping the right degree of decentralization - enough to be able to act like a country (common foreign, defense, trade, enviromental (...) policy), but not too much, otherwise the population would become discontent.

I am fairly sure that federal EU is the only viable alternative, it's just a matter of time before the people understand that.

 

[Winner]

not for very long

Why, you wanna join anytime soon?

 

[Ciceronian]

Too many languages, too many separate ethnic groups. I don't think it would work very well. A common currency and free trade zone seem to be fine, but taking it to any sort of political or social level will only lead to catastrophe.

What about the US or China? They are the world's superpower and the emerging superpower respectively. Same thing there. Immigrants came from all over Europe to the US, from Britain, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Poland etc. Add to that slaves coming from Africa and later being freed, and a good admixture of native Indians and Asians, and there you have it: a melting pot of ethnicities and languages. And while the EU doesn't have an official language, something like two thirds of EU citizens understand English. As to China: While most people there speak Mandarin, a significant number speak Cantonese or other regional "dialects" (which are about as different to Mandarin as the various Romance languages are in Europe). Another tenth of the Chinese population consists of the 55 recognised ethnic minorities there. So I'm afraid that your argument about diversity in languages and ethnicities hindering integration doesn't hold up.

 

[REDY]

Europeans don't have any desire to become a world sheriff. They'd expand their influence by other means.

I am not sure. Its more view thanks decline of Europe in 20th century than real change of european thinking. When they will be in american position they would act exactly same.

 

[Winner]

What about the US or China?

What about India, when we're at it? Differences between its parts are often greater than the differences between EU countries.

That said, you're absolutely right. The EU does not have ambition to be just like the US, that is not possible due to the obvious ethnic differences, but a federal state does not need to be as centralized as the US.

 

[Winner]

I am not sure. Its more view thanks decline of Europe in 20th century than real change of european thinking. When they will be in american position they would act exactly same.

I don't think so. Europeans are not really fond of military solutions and they're certainly not prepared to pay for any military adventures.

 

[Ecofarm]

Formation of the EU. Adoption of common currency....

Where do you think it is going?

 

[Swedishguy]

Europeans would have more than gain than lose in such a merge. I'm all for it.

 

[REDY]

Maybe German, Benelux and Nordic countries only effort is in european diplomatic theatre. But what about Great Britain, France, Italy, even Poland or Hungary? I should see how their leaders call for army to defend their interests in foreign country without world support. That they changed their diplomacy thanks inferior complex doesnt mean that they changed mindset.

 

[Godwynn]

It would look awkward to have a Unified Europe with Switzerland not being a part of it. A gigantic hole in Europe.

 

[Ecofarm]

But what about Great Britain, France, Italy, even Poland or Hungary? I should see how their leaders call for army to defend their interests in foreign country without world support.

Without world support? Haha. You keep believing that - but UN plausible deniability is a joke. Multiple sanctions, resolutions, and downright threats preceded the invasion. And it was executed by a coalition of many. Note: there were NO UN resolutions condemning the action, or in any way criticising it. So, believe the world didn't santion it all you want, but if you pull your head from the sand and look at the obvious, plausible deniability is just that.

Need we review the coalition, or the threatening resolutions, or the total absence of condemnation from the 1st world?

What a dream world you live in if you think that the world did not want Saddam gone. Everyone wanted Saddam gone. Noone objected via resolution. No one even put forth a resolution of criticism. Many countries joined the effort and enforced a standing UN resolution (UNR1441).

And you pretend that the world is a bunch of agnsty morons. Have fun.

 

[mitsho]

It would look awkward to have a Unified Europe with Switzerland not being a part of it. A gigantic hole in Europe.

I am honoured that you refer to us as Gigantic... Mostly we are just tiny...

There are two answers to your question comint to my mind:

a) Switzerland already has the 'Bilaterals' which are a series of treaties between the EU and CH adressing most of the issues. Thus, we pay as well some amount to the EU and do receive some kind of benefits, but have no say whatsoever. It's called the "Rosinenpicker-strategy". ["cherry picker"-strategy, means that you only want those parts of a treaty that benefit you... ] Thus, to some extent we can already be looked on as part of the EU, as we do implement most of the things that are decided in Brussels anyway... One of the most hot topics in the last half year was the "Cervelat-scandal". Cervelats are the Swiss National Sausage that need to be produced with special cow gut [cattle gut? cattle bowel?] from Brazil. Only Brazilian 'guts' work! But unfortunately, Brussel recently decided that Brazil is no safe haven for BSE-free cattle and thus forbade import of 'beef' to Europe from Brazil. Now the industry has been helplessly trying to find a substitute and is no pressuring politics, as the stock of Brazilian cattle guts are only expected to last until just after the European Championship this Summer.
As you may see I would support a Swiss entry into the EU, but these 'Bilaterals' act as kind of a middle way to get all those hesitant supporters on board and allow us some interaction that otherwise would be shot down immediately by the far right thanks to the power Direct Democracy gives everybody...

b) Switzerland is not the only Western country not in the EU, Norway and Island being the other two... There is about the same level of opposition in Switzerland and in Norway, but it is mostly clear that someday that will end. Hell, Switzerland joined the UN about 50 years after its foundation to be sure that the organization was "viable" (The League of Nations was heavily sponsored by Switzerland and failed horribly...). The point being is that the level of opposition is about at the same level as in all Western European countries, but that the political organization of countries such as Switzerland or Norway just didn't allow entry yet. But it will happen eventually.

 

[C~G]

Without world support?

You're mistaken. "Apathy" doesn't equal "support".

Everyone wanted Saddam gone.

And that's the only reason I support the war.

Of course, but mostly nobody wanted to have anything to do with it or endorse it.

That's the true sentiment of the world, We don't care. And I think that echoes also in your mind too.

That doesn't mean that US "cares" either BTW.