European Union and Why it Needs to Change
The European Union has its roots in the aftermath of World War II in 1945. Europe had been in a state of pectoral wars since the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 A.D. Since then, different regional powers within Europe have tried to become the leading continental power.
These wars accumulated in three great European wars: the French Revolution from 1793 until 1799 and the Napoleonic wars from 1799 to 1815. World War I was the second great European war from 1914 to 1918, and World War II was the final great war in Europe from 1939 to 1945.
The conflicts in Europe throughout the 19th and 20th century was between France and the rising power of united Germany after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 to 1871, which had the Germans temporarily occupying Paris.
The rise of Germany as the leading power in Europe and the French and the Germans wanting revenge led to two colossus wars, which cost the lives of 16 million people in World War I and over 60 million during World War II.
An atmosphere of reconciliation and peace was on the European agenda to finally end the constant wars and bloodletting within Europe after World War II.
This led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952.
The reason for this being created was to primarily tie the European economy’s industrial capacity of coal and steel, which is necessary for modern industrial warfare to prevent war again by creating economic interdependency and cooperation.
The Problem with the European Union
From the words above, I’ve hopefully demonstrated how the European Union has evolved first from the corner steel community in 1952.
Then, the European Economic Community was created in 1957, aiming to foster economic integration among its member states. It was subsequently renamed the European Community upon becoming integrated into the first pillar of the newly formed European Union in 1993.
The European Union (EU), the Organization of European Countries, was formed in 1993 to oversee their economic and political integration. It was created by the Maastricht Treaty and ratified by all members of the European Community (EC), out of which the EU developed.
Ultimately, the European Union was created to create economic unity and prevent wars from ever happening between its members and hopefully avoid any future large-scale wars in Europe, primarily between the members of the EU.
Unfortunately, the European Union’s massive weakness is that the economic power does not have adequate political unity and a united military complex to be a serious international power.
Furthermore, it is not a true federalised union like the United States of America.
If the nation within the EU dislikes a foreign policy or how the economy is being handled, they can veto anything they disagree with.
The fate of the European Union will likely be decided in the coming week; if that doesn’t pique your interest, I’m not sure what will.
For the European Union to be an effective entity within Europe and around the globe. Fundamental reforms will be needed to transform it into a true Federalist union. Still, with 27 members of this union, each polling in the interests of their nations, it is doubtful this will happen.
Turkey’s do not vote for Christmas, and it is very unlikely that politicians in each member state will be willing to limit their powers within their nation and abroad because it is against their interests.
