For the past few decades, Europe has been growing ever-closer. Since the fifties, European states have decided to work together towards a political union, bringing with it a period of prosperity and peace. However, with Brexit, the EU now faces its first membership withdrawal, provoking a new period of uncertainty. Some see Brexit as the beginning of the end, while others see it as an opportunity to launch a United States of Europe.
This idea is nothing new. The notion of a European entity modelled off the United States was already discussed in the 19th century, and the term ‘United States of Europe’ was coined by Germany’s social democratic party in its 1925 Party Programme. Only last year, its party leader Martin Schulz was still calling for such a union. Similarly, in France, President Macron is pushing ahead with reforms meant to strengthen the EU. Yet, we are also simultaneously seeing the rise of elected officials whom explicitly reject the concept of an “ever closer union.” Some even call for the return to nation-states altogether.
What do our readers think? We received a comment from Antonio, who wishes to see the creation of a United States of Europe within the next 20 years. How realistic is this?
Will we ever have a United States of Europe? We asked Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from all sides of the political spectrum to stake out their positions on this question, and it’s up to YOU to vote for the policies you favour. See what the different MEPs have to say, then vote at the bottom of this debate for the one you most agree with! Take part in the vote below and tell us who you support in the European Parliament!
Well, I don’t believe in a United States of Europe, but there are many things that we need to improve in Europe: we need to improve public transparency and accountability; we need to tackle the double standards; we need to look at the way that social Europe has been sidelined, which is a shame; we need to look at how lobbyists have been able to influence policy developments in Europe; and we need to know that another Europe is possible.
But I don’t think that would be achieved if we were to go in the direction, as is suggested by Antonio, of a federal Europe. It needs to be a Europe that is made up of diversity and many member states that can tackle global challenges that we face at a European level. But, at a national level, national governments need to have the power to be able to deliver for their own citizens, the people who elected them, as opposed to being imposed a neoliberal model, which – when you look at what happened to Greece, what is happening in Catalonia with the double standards, and the ignoring of the annexation and colonization of the occupied territories of Palestine, and the annexation of Crimea – then you can see that there is a lot in Europe that needs to change, and I don’t think any of that can be achieved by the kind of Europe that is suggested by Antonio.
I hope that we will never have United States of Europe. This would be the end of national sovereignty, which is itself the bulwark of national identities. I am for a Europe of cooperation between sovereign states, not a European federal Leviathan.
Curious to know more about the United States of Europe? We’ve put together some facts and figures in the infographic below (click for a bigger version).
IMAGE CREDITS: C / Bigstock – 
317 comments Post a commentcomment
now Ivan is out, maybe
Morning comrade, thanks for the mention.
If you think just because we are leaving the pointless EU things will get easier for the antidemocratic fanatics in the EU you are in for a shock at the MEP elections next year..
Your empire will fall just as every other lunatic ‘European’ dictatorship has fallen. Nazism, Fascism, Communism and now Europeanism, different flag but the same blind dogma.
The British people have a history of fighting totalitarian dictatorships and Brussels is just the next target on our list to bring democracy to the world.
So when do you elect your Queen? Or your lords? Btw how democractic is that the DUP with 0.7% of the votes has as many MPs as the Lib Dems with 7%?
Ivan for you the EP seems to gain importance just if it fits your agenda.
Leonardo The Queen does not make our laws, the House of Lords do not make our laws but your unelected (0% voted for) European Politburo does make yours.
Just like all other EU fanatics you either hate democracy or have no concept of what it actually means.
Ivan just because you are unfamiliar with other forms of representations than your system, doesnt mean you need to shout “unelected” “undemocratic” “communist” everywhere. Gets boring
It really is very, very simple comrade.
‘Nobody’ was asked if they wanted your European Politburo or its rubber stamping department the European Parliament and the only vote on the EU’s European constitution was rejected by the French but enforced anyway which makes the EU antidemocratic and its unelected Politburo its Government, which is more in line with the USSR than Nazism but antidemocratic all the same.
It only gets boring to you pro EU fanatics comrade because you know what’s coming and there is nothing you can do to stop it, for everyone else its reality as you are about to find out. :)
https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21740256-fears-countrys-democracy-deepen-hungarys-illiberal-prime-minister-viktor-orban-wins
there is no EU constitution
@Ivan and just to add..i dont know in which world you live but when the constitution was rejected by dutch and french, it was not ratified. do you have alternative infos for me?
There is no difference, the European Constitution was rejected so was renamed the Lisbon treaty and forced though to bypass democracy, it never ceases to amaze me how little you pro EU fanatics actually know about your pointless EU..
But thank you for the insult and for showing your hatred of free speech, Juncker will be so proud of you.
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/valeacutery-giscard-destaing-the-eu-treaty-is-the-same-as-the-constitution-398286.html
You really are in denial aren’t you.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1567804/Giscard-EU-Treaty-is-the-constitution-rewritten.html
yeah if they behave like communists 1 million times then they should be called that 1 million times, once they stop behaving like a pack of commies.. there will be no need for anyone to repeat themselves
have you ever thought how old stale and rancid your communism is after so many year
Eu cannot live of old money and nepotism any more it has to head towards democracy and innovation
But first out with the totalitarians once and for all!
@Uli
You want to deprive Ivan of free speech? Dangerous!
@Leonardo
Very few countries have been as stable, as democratic, as free and as long-standing as the UK.
Why should we get rid of our Queen and end up like a typical Latin despotic republic or indeed the EU?
the British empire was built on dictatorship and the british and successive government is responsible for countless war crimes and genocides
@Ivan about content sure but not about powers. the lisbon treaty actually weakened the power of the Commission. That should arouse you actually
who is behaving like commies..please specifiy..the European Council, the Commission, the parliament, the nations that actually are in power. Im always not sure if you mix that on purpose or you dont know better…
@Ivan that is probably the best joke I’ve ever heard in my entire life!
D’Estaing is also on record as saying the treaty was deliberately made unreadable so governments could sell it better to their citizens…nothing to see here just another EU treaty,no need for a referendum so let’s ratify it
Have we learned nothing from the EU experiment?
Only if the lunatics are allowed to run the asylum.
One ca hope
Yes, but not within the next 10 years and not including all current members of the EU.
Without Britain and Russia? No never
corect!
Why do we must to copy USA’s ethimology?
Because it makes big business richer
I mean copying the naming style.
No
We must! Its gonna be either EU or wars, as it has been happening in the very recent past
EU or Wars?? I would have thought you could use the term EU as a replacement for the word ‘war’ It was very keen to be involved in several of the Gulf Wars, while the general public did not want anything to do with them.
LoL
I don’t know about a US of E but maybe blocs such as a Germanic Confederation or a Francophonic Alliance. Bit hard to have a Union when the differences are still too vast.
Will we ever have a United States of Europe?
No, because it is a fraud. And because it is not in the European peoples knowledge of what this global project really is. And when they find out just what the aim of the globalists have in all of this secrecy, and understand the project in full, it will lead to civil war.
Lets hope those who begin the fight back realise that ordinary citizens, in this deception, are completely ignorant. So when the flashpoint erupts, they start with those who are responsible for the end of European culture and civilisation and not with the innocents lost in the quagmire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXm5hklbBsA&list=PLTsSCrgvx_f0YMho5GxrPe-hz_6DWnoDP
I hope so
A Europa deve mantaer-se unida si, mas nunca numa versão à Americana! A Europa é o conjunto de nações que se juntaram pela paz… mas cada nação tem a sua história e as suas características! Devem juntar-se também como potência económica previlegiando o bem estar das pessoas, a livre circulação, o ambiente, a produção de energias limpas! temos todaos a ganhar! Este é o nosso MEP da Sustentabilidade que defende um Portugal sem medo e uma Europa sem medo! Eu confio nos seus argumentos e nas suas decisões! Carlos Zorrinho do grupo S&D! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=788175907896885&set=a.536300576417754.1073741834.100001134490748&type=3&theater
I hope not
I obviously am for a unified Europe. There’s no alternative.
Who said this? God? Or the ones that take profit from this non democratical situation?
I don’t think so, Europe is so different from the USA. But we can work together.
I totally agree.
Yes.I’m sure.
The United States of Europe are a vision related back to the 19 th century when pacifists stated an idea of everlasting peace in Europe. Funny enough I think Europe will end up united, although the EU seems to be drifting apart due to major mistakes: An united currency is the last step of gathering together, before you have to unify the retirement age, the average salary amount, the taxes, the corporate rules… The EU is having a lack fo ethical care for the loosers of the digital revolution. Answers ar more than needed. Nationalism and protectionism in combination with scam goats are the outcome of the failed leadership.
That’s the PR-story. In real life it’s about the acquisition of resources, markets and transport routes that are still in Europeand hands. It will be easy to convince one big central government of the “necessity of small government” and open up multibillion-euro markets, etc. The countries individually wouldn’t do that.
Ambivalent what you mean by PR side… Inevitably the EU organizations are having the face of evil monsters, too, with stealing resources, markets, transportation routes, destroying existences, regional growth. This is the face of Neolieralism in the western & far eastern world. It comes down who is in the lead – or allowed by the big players to rule – history is so far repeating: If the level of suffering gets too high, heads will roll and changes will be made: So the elite is forced to assure positive balance for the “sheeple”.
We are moving towards a global slaving society where freedom means anyone can f*** just about anything while more and more of the value you create with your work ends up in the hands of globalist oligarchs, directly through products, services and employment and indirectly through state debt and state puchases. S0r0s is an agent in this process. >> See the role of Crassus in bringing down the Roman Republic.
A European Republic will restore full democratic rights to all Europeans. The current EU is anti-democratic since the popular will is absent from most of the decision making, relying on an unelected bureaucracy.
Not only is democracy lacking but the crisis management system is defficient, judging by previous events. An elected President, with other democratic structures, has the mandate to react decisively. Look at the USA. President Trump has been quick to overturn the previous Democrat mismanagement. Europe deserves the same type of system.
It’s already here.
Hope not.
No we are are different countries with our own identities what’s good for Germany may not be good for ireland in fact we lost our fishing rights while the Spanish fish these waters how can that be good.
È necessaria l’Europa Unita da ideali di pace, fratellanza, giustizia. Tuttavia ogni Paese deve mantenere le proprie peculiarità e diversità. Non deve esserci appiattimento e uniformità culturale.
Ogni Paese procede con I suoi ritmi, in differenti ambiti, secondo le inclinazioni delle sue genti.
I Paesi più virtuosi saranno un faro per quelli meno capaci senza però dover applicare loro penalità e sanzioni.
I’d literally take up arms to prevent it. There isn’t much tolerance let alone apatite in Ireland for a federal Europe.
Well I don’t in anyway see myself as european. I’m Irish and that’s that and would not for one second would I ever agree to a federalist european superstate. What would be the point in fighting for independence and then signing it away. As you said and thankfully so there is no appetite in Ireland for such a move.
Being in the EU is a handy trading arrangement. Beyond that I don’t consider myself in any way European. I don’t agree with a European army either. As far as I’m concerned someone from Spain is as foreign to me as someone from America or China. I dont agree with further European integration at all what so ever.
We’d only be made vote again on it anyways
Regardless of how many of us support the EU as it stands
In fact some EU VIP’s have already decided: “The EU MUST become a United States of Europe by 2025”! Really?
One of them is German SPD leader Mr. M. Schulz. He proposes (demands) that “countries that do not adopt the (latest) treaty should be kicked out of the EU”!
That’s the German way to build “unity”! A faint reminder of what happened on 12 March 1938- 80 years ago!
Or- is he trying to fulfill Karl Marx’s prediction of a European “classless society”? Another German “ANSCHLUSS” but on European scale! Very frightening! That alone should trigger a polite thank you Mr. Schulz- but not your way!
There are many other options to unite, cooperate & standardize than handing over ones sovereignty to a handful overzealous political racketeers!
The latest love potion from Brussels- to induce eternal EU love- is free rail travel for the youth! Paid for by Mr. Juncker & Co from their salary?
The search and debate is ongoing:
http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_EU_federalism
“Free EU interrail pass”?
I hope the EU youth understands clearly what’s behind Brussels political vote buying effort- by granting a “limited interrail pass”?
However, nothing is for free. In return the EC expects staunch EU support. Today’s investment in an “EU supranational Youth Brigade”- tomorrow a ripe group of convinced political EU cadres!
But let them enjoy their free travel & good luck- while the EU is so generous with our taxes. God only knows how long it will last.
http://www.dw.com/en/eu-to-give-free-interrail-train-passes-to-30000-teens/a-42793625
I think the EU is too large and too diverse to be fairly represented by a federation. Look at the busted, inefficient, discordant American federal government. Do we want to run like that?
However closer ties, such as for defense, seem less a matter of if than when. It’s not correct (or wise) to rely on America for defense anymore.
this
No
Such a project would go down faster than the titanic did. I personally would hate such a thing to happen and i much prefer to be in a sovereign independent nation than a province in a european superstate. My national identity heritage and culture are too important to me. I welcome closer economic ties and closer ties as friendly nations in partnership with one another but not at the cost of our sovereignty that was fought for with great sacrifice.
The United States made big business richer while compared to the level of GDP produced, the quality of life for everyone else is lower.
Why should we be so dumb as to copy *that*?
That’s why the corporations want a united states of Europe and are pushing for it
If there is, Britain would be Puerto Rico. Not quite in but not quite out either.
Basically we have United States as soon as the council is replaced by an elected chamber representing the nation states which works by a qualified majority and the parliament being the leading legislative entity. We should than also disuss which issues should be decided on the EU level and how they are financed (taxes) (but please use another name! It a evokes to be a copy of the USA which nobody wants. The first constitution should be open for discussion. Anyhow we can have a look what topics are treated on a federal level in the US and which are treated on a state level and of course if it works well that way or not.)
We are all european brothers and we need Europe so much! But Europe can’t replace our nations (and our people) with an empty feeling of none! We need EUROPEAN NATIONALISM, to make people feel what we were, what we are and what we mat be again! This is the only one optione to compete and bring back what Europe was! European nationalism!
After the fall of communism….when asked what he thought of the EU Gorbachev replied…..Its the Soviet Union but under a different name. Says it all.
A union of citizens is better than a union of states, but both are improvements on the basically intergovernmental EU we have.
We already have in some ways… this must be improved, renforced and well explained to eurosceptics… do not leave decision on our future to those manipulating masses…
Yes!!
The question is whether we want to.
Will we ever have a United States of Europe?
Not under 2018 “management”.
Yes, we will.
Considering the EU was formed off the back of rampant anti-US sentiments (particularly from the French), it’s is ironic for anyone to wish the future of the EU to be in any way similar
Europe seems to have forgotten who it was, it did lead the world for a long time, until ww2 miltary competition and other nations like usa started to undermine it and weaken it.Europe needs to be united miltarily but independent as nations.This has always spurred the best competition between the various european nations.stop copying the Usa, they stole alot of our patents , ideas and experts and are only out for there own glories at the expense of Europe. The usa with its blinker miltary imperialism will become a promblem unless there are a few equal counterforces to them. Europe should get rid of usa bases out of Europe firstly. End Nato with its US control.. Then Europeans can lift there heads again as independent, but now there looking like lackeys of US Imperialism..
In my opinion the European Union will never become the uniform state. The point is that the different nations have different moral standards.
No.
I pray for my country that it will never happen. The Netherlands and Germany simply can`t afford it.
I could have answered for them without reading it, of course the pro EU empire builders think it will happen. Unfortunately for them the peoples in the EU do not want it and when push comes to shove they will fight for their Nation, not for the EU.
How many more times must lunatic European plans to unite under one flag be defeated ?
https://i2.wp.com/www.learning-history.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/d-day-invasion-of-normandy-1944.jpg?fit=850%2C446&ssl=1
War isn’t the same as political integration though is it
Grant
Who actually wants a political union comrade ?
The only people to be asked if they want ‘political integration’ were the French and the Dutch and both rejected it but the EU fanatics enforced it anyway, you call that democratic ?
The citizens of the 1917 Revolution & the 1927 Nuremberg Rally didn’t think what they were supporting would lead to world war and the deaths of hundreds of millions of people but it happened.
Europeans have clearly learnt nothing from their history & are destined to repeat it. Thank god we are leaving the antidemocratic EU.
Hope so
I will leave this here https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/135795963?searchTerm=United%20States%20of%20europe%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&searchLimits=
How about we have a European Union?
Isnt a European Union of independant countries quite different from a European Republic?
No, because we don’t want a Trump running it.
Yes and we must
No, you will have a caliphate. Wake up.
we have corrupted politics enought, we most export them
Not if current management keeps up doing what they’re doing.
No…as simlple as this!
Hope so
If we take a look at the bigger scene and we want to save the european civilisation ( with ups and downs ) we must go for it. Else, no European nation will make it to the end.
Never. It is impossible.
I like the idea of a United States of Europe. When we look at the world, really it’s only the massive countries like USA, Russia and China that have any impact or relevance and the fact that Europe is divided into tiny countries that can barely function without having a really close relationship with each other does not seem to be a major benefit to anyone. If Europe were one force pulling in one direction, o much more could be accomplished. Also, it would really be a major step in equality.
Many people are worried that the USE would cause a lot of different countries’ cultures and traditions to die out but I don’t think it would because England and Scotland still have very different cultures despite being in the same country and the same with New York and California.
In 1975 the British electorate were told before the referendum , by Edward heath that talk of a federal Europe was nonsense, there would never be one.that’s why people voted yes. The people were lied to.
George That was 44 years ago, we are nowhere near a Federal Europe (and very unlikely UK will be in it if there ever is) and there wasn’t one in Heaths lifetime!! Not sure where the lie was!!
Jim EU notables are pressing for it all the time, keep up please, The 75 referendum told us it was all about trading together and being happy little bunnies, they say that many old people voted in the 2016 referendum, they were not old in 1975.it took over 40 years for revenge, they never forgot and took it.
No we wont because a ‘Pan National’ is just what it says.
Hope so
Only if it was federation a la Switzerland not America, with member states guranteed protection of national language and culture and strong with local self-governance. To give federal mandate to EU as it is now would mean instant handover of all of us and our communities to global banks and multinational corporations.
My brothers and sisters, this century, let us together establish United Earth 🌍 to replace the United Nations which is ineffective and unable to keep world peace due to the unfair veto system of the super powers. We are all children of Adam and are brethren. We should have the right to emigrate and live and work anywhere in the earth as long as we pay local taxes and obey local laws. The main reason for conflict is nationalism. Let us unite at the district, state, regional and global levels. Peace be with you all.
What are you talking about nationalism is not the biggest problem we face, that’s greed..
Why not allow the poor to become poorer, let’s allow the greed and capitalism to destroy this world, why not?
Peace and love will not come at the hands of globalisation, small communities were people govern themselves and are not beholden to others, were mankind love and work for the good of there neighbours…
Globalisation should only become a concept when humankind has defeated our personal and social biases..
Tyrone greed for whose sakes? Our selves, families, tribes and races or countries. Nationalism exploits issues of economy, race and religion for it’s cause.
Chik the problem with it is infrastructure, prosperous countries will have millions arrive, the UK would be crippled, look how millions of unskilled Europeans have over stretched our schools, health, infrastructure, housing and our benefits system… These things need to be gradual and planned
William disclaimer is “obey local laws”.
Are you crazy have you looked at trumps America…
This should be a wake up call for anyone thinking we are ready for a global economy, we have seen what happens when countries grow to large and the people are forgotten, to quickly..
Not really it would destroy the character of. European countries variety is a good thing to preserve, different countries have different traditions so it should be
Pedro I think it increases the character of countries. The Scots and Welsh have maintained their traditions in the U.K.
It doesn’t matter what any one thinks, they are going to do it any way. No choice really now Europe is chained together with their economies enslaved by the Euro. What worries me is not it’s formation. That’s already rolling forward. It what it does when it ends and people begin to resist.
I hope so. Globalisation has its positives and negatives, but the EU provides a level of human rights, employment protection and environmental protection that is desperately needed. A United States of Europe would have to distribute its wealth more equitably, though – rich countries would need to help out poorer countries in the Union. Of course, as a Brit, this is just a pipe dream for me unless we reverse the disaster for the UK that is Brexit.
Its finished
There would be a high chance if all EU member states spoke one language and shared very close resemblance with culture. Unfortunately ex communist countries (I come from one of them) are completely different in mentality , way of thinking and culture compared to Western Europe — it’s a fact, but in the end many things can be achieved with effort, but the idea of creating the United States of Europe can stand only in our imagination.
The EU is there to unite European countries together and apply laws such as freedom of movement and etc which are very neat in my opinion, but the idea of United States of Europe is just stupid — at least at the moment and current time we live in maybe , sorry .
Yes they attempted that already it was called Esperanto, in the days of the EEC.
Will never work!…
Hopefully never.
No, and we never should.
Probably not
Never
Yes it’s inevitable, but democratic process would have to voted on by individual states. We are in a world of large power block and 10 world trade blocks. Any one who thinks that a small country can punch above its wait are romantic at best and deluded at worst.
FCO 30/1048 FULL DOCUMENT. This is the FCOs document in 1971 outlining the effects of joining the ‘Common Market’.
It was subsequently hidden under the 30 year rule and promptly disappeared again in 2002.
Pages 18-44 out of the 224 pages explain the eventual loss of sovereignty and also the areas of control IMMEDIATELY LOST to our own parliament including (on page 44) –
Agriculture:
Monopolies and restrictive practices
Free movement of labour, services and capital:
Fisheries:
State aid for Industry:
Coal and Steel:
Nuclear energy industry:
Values added tax
Social security for migrants etc.
To me this explains the reason behind Ted Heath and Margaret Thatchers role in the demise of our coal industry and the demise of our Steel industry and the selling off of our Post Office and nuclear expertise by Blair / Brown. etc.etc.
The document also goes on to say that it is advisable that the blame for unpopular policies should be borne by our parliament so as not to tarnish the image of the EEC.
NO TO THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE! DOWN WITH A UNITED EUROPE! SOVEREIGNTY AND FREEDOM FOR THE NATION-STATES OF EUROPE!
Yes Hungary. Poland to name but two appear to have a different mindset with regard to democracy
United Europe…A territory considered as an organized political community under one government, joined together politically, for a common purpose, or by common feelings…it will never happen
It’s not what the mp’s think that matters.
No never!!
With fiscal coordination and higher defence budgets, actually we are not too far away from a federal Europe, were it not for the ‘language’ problem and the ludicrousness of unanimity in decision-making. We know what are the reforms that we need to do and what type of politicians we need to elect. Last chance to win back a disillusioned populace. We should not move head to head with Italy and the successor of Mrs. Merkel might be a “make or break” situation.
I do believe Dr. Alan Greenspan’s reasoning (“The Map and Territory 2.0”) ;
‘The cultural differenses between the states are obstackles to ever unite them .
Likelyhood of unison ;
certain parts of
France,Austria,Germany,Luxemburg,Belgium,Netherlands,Denmark,UK,Sweden,Finland.Norway.
(where Kantism thrives).
Likelyhood of Unison: certain parts of France,Spain,Italy,Portugal,Kroatia
Because of the shared philisofy and culture.
Coincidently, the Alps devide us.
Actually, there isn’t any “European politburo”. There are European institutions. The most democratic institution is the European Parliament, which is elected by European people.
Euroskeptics say that is anti-democratic: it’s not. The States are well represented in the European Council: almost every decision, every regulation is taken with the unanimity of the Council.
Why would all these single countries want to join together and eventualy become a new superpower I think its a bad idea as was the euro for all of you, eventualy it will bring you into conflict and why make it so difficult to leave ? Britain fought for you all in ww2 without being a united state of Europe.
The more dictatorial Brussels becomes and the more it tries to force countries closer and closer together, the quicker it will bring about its own demise. Free trade should not mean political or monetary union and countries like Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece have definitely not benefited from being in the Eurozone.
The more dictatorial Brussels becomes and the more it tries to force countries closer and closer together, the quicker it will bring about its own demise. Free trade should not mean political or monetary union and countries like Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece have definitely not benefited from being in the Eurozone.
I don’t think EU citizens or even EU member country governments are anywhere near wanting a United States of Europe. The EU will have to be ultra social with equal basic wages, equal benefits, a gmi, free education, an equal healthcare system that is free for the vulnerable etc. The corporate serving EU as it is now doesn’t stand a chance with this US plan. Plus people are seeing the downside of no borders just like the US- more crime, less jobs, people willing to work double hours for half the wages because this is like being rich compared to what they would earn at ‘home’. Poverty would have to be abolished for this to even stand a glimmer of a chance.
I read about “equal basic wages”, VAT, Hungary’s opinion on same-sex marriage etc.
I’ll just refer to the basic income in Massachusetts, Maryland, Alaska, DC, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey (above 70000$) compared to Louisiana, New Mexico, Kentucky, Alabama, West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi (below 45000$).
What’s about the “State sales tax”? Which is around 8% in California and 0% in its neighbour state of Oregon!
And why gay people could successfully get married (before 2015) in New York and Nevada, while this wasn’t possible in Texas and Ohio?
Europeans should learn more about USA, before express their opinion about its structure!
I don’t think we have enough oil, for “Democracy to be exported” to us by USA, but who knows… plutocracy may eventually win, and your wish may become true.
That’s a good one 😎
Spot on😅
Oligarchy spoiled and destroyed the European dream… It s over
That’s a good one 😎
It has to be done
No need for a totalitarian state thank you very much
Of course not! We have different languages , different cultures, different interests and a lot of hate for each other! The best we will have is a minimum financial political line as long as our governments serve the interests of german and french plutocracy!
“United States of Europe” means that there is only one government with one common economy, one army, “one spread” and so on.
I never heard about a spread between Texas and Illinois.
Europe has many things to fix before becoming a Union, but there is the will to be such a Union? For example I am worried about Brexit, in my opinion UK out of EU is a big loss for both sides.
true on Brexit. Personally, I think the current EU is closer to what the founding fathers of the US had in mind. Come together as a union for some things but each state having its own freedom and sovereignty. I think apart from a few stubborn issues in the EU, it works really well. It’s run by humans so there will always be mistakes made but for the most part it gets alot right and balances a successful regional market economy with egalitarianism better than anywhere else on earth. Maybe just doesn’t communicate it right. Keep it as is. And an army means we get sucked into crap that doesn’t involve us so a big no to that too.
a lot of what you said I agree with. But the necessity of an European army is quite pressing I think. Not only as a united army we would improve our capabilities and credibility but each member would also save a lot of money individually. As for the use of such an army it would be defensive and nothing more.
impossible.The us is a single nation with one language. We fortunately aren’t. So you ussr dreams are mismatched xP
language it is not a limit
language is not the only things keeping us apart: culture, national interests, fiscal sistems.
The eu should really stop bullying its way forward and start giving back powers to the nations and its people.
LOL to whom, Di Maio and Salvini? LOL
The Democratic Peoples Republic of Europe, maybe.
why should we?
YES, by getting rid of local nations and moving fast into a federal government of smaller European regions – think to Switzerland!
it is impossible for it to be a federation of states by language, culture, society and sovereign interests of the EU member states.
United states of real human social and politicd rights.
Now eu are a privat club of cinics politics
My Dream
no need to change the magnificent brand ”EU”
Yes.
Then stay out man, but don’t spoil the aspirations of others for peace, security and economical stability. Out of an even more United Europe each single member is outmatch by reality.
It depends.
why should we?
Fellow Europeans,
The mere suggestion of a United States of Europe, will always bring the big brother concept into competition with the national identities of every European citizen. The wheels of change are already moving forward by the EU elite, who want a European Army and stronger financial control by the European Central Bank over all EU members by 2025, by doing so, these measures will water down the remaining independent processes every government is able to do currently, and before you know it a superstate is born.
Definitely against. Every country should preserve its own identity, land, borders, customs and traditions .
it baffles me when people believe traditions and identity are going to disappear. Those don’t go anywhere even if a federation happens
oh yes it does… Just look at the Soviet Union and its states that last a lot of their traditions
Including wars…
that’s because the SU was an oppressive power. The EU puts a lot of money into preserving culture and diversity across Europe by protecting minority languages for instance.
The small countries of Europe (which is all of them) don’t stand a chance alone next to the likes of US, Russia, or China. We need to work together, not become each other. In a United Europe the countries will still be different. I celebrate cultural diversity and national pride. We just need to work together, and make sure there’s equal opportunity for everyone across the EU.
realistically we are not united let alone by the looks of it we will never be due to one factor and that is Brussels is just over reaching their power on domestic policies of every state. The only country that has benefited the most in the EU was Germany
How do you think your own identity and traditions would change?
I understand these concerns. For example in Hungary, the EU is giving us a lot of money to help hungarian businesses but the government is stealing it and only their circle of friends gets rich. Meanwhile workers are labouring in factories to produce german cars for incredibly low wages. This is a problem. But these aren’t solved by disintegration because whether EU or not we are dependent on each other. So, the EU needs to be reformed in such a way that these problems be solved. But on the global scale we need to show a united front or be swept away.
none of those issues where culture, traditions etc.
How do you think your identity and traditions would change?
the same is happening in Greece, the question you would have to answer, why that is the EU political elite is doing nothing about it is because they are doing the same amongst themselves
Absolutly for!
Can’t happen fast eneugh
Yes! For! 👍
For of course
I agree. But I would be more for a Federation. Obviously it’s not possible in a short time.
The more united, the better! 🇪🇺💪🏻👌🏻
No EUSSR, thanks. Centralized control sucks. It ruins the economy and takes away freedom.
You should get some better education instead of brainwashing.
“For” asap!!!
Make a referendum
I’m voting against
we had one, we voted against. Europeans have abandoned their own country for a EU dictatorship Shame on them.
U are still leaving. Expecting next millennium to happen
For with a real democratic leadership.
UNITED STATES OF EUROPE or no EU
A modified version of the USSR? …because it worked great for them.
Or the US maybe. Just have the EU level and then small counties so people can solve there local issues on the local level, without the country states. Best way to take care of things
1000% FOR but equality for the Countries must be the Top Priority.
At the moment everything is working for the north European Countries and only and almost none doing anything about it, only words speaking but nothing is acting to this direction.
There will never be equality, this is how this world works.
Why do you think Eastern Europeans countries got accepted in the EU? To provide cheap labour and a market for Western European countries. We work for them. The EU didn’t expand because they “love” us and want “equality. It’s all about power, control and money.
do get out work in your country for 200 euros who asked you to work for somebody else seriously. You blame the other countries and not yourself
We should just abonden the concept of countries. Germany can’t be equal to Lithuania, so we shoul make the EU state and then small regions to take of their local issues. A country level in between those is useless and wastes money
Yes. Strongly in favor of the United States of Europe. The younger generation deserves it
What we should be creating are not united states but strong autonomous regions in a federal european republic. I recommend this very important book. :-) http://dietz-verlag.de/isbn/9783801205591/Why-Europe-Should-Become-a-Republic-A-Political-Utopia-Ulrike-Guerot?fbclid=IwAR2b_rpMkbfpoWOPSY6hYPYlYlQMRf_65EADLHXCgsQ0-2u7X1BI-eXvDXM
United? Sure, but isn’t EU just that? Only one sovereign European State? Not likely to ever happen. Especially while sovereign Kingdoms exist headed by Royalty.
It’s wrong, Europa isn’t US, Europa is totally unready for such thing , there is high risk to collapse in short time
you are not even European who asked you
True, but what does that mean? That i don’t have right to give my opinion?
I have been in Germany for 4 years, and been in touch with exchange student from around Europe each year, i don’t claim to be European neither that i know Europa, but from what i gathered from information and what i have observed i am giving a free opinion, i hope it’s not forbidden ….
I’m European and totally agree 👍 with him!
Thank you Anelia, however it’s not about agree or disagree, i totally respect both side, you absolutely have the right to disagree, but disagree the point and the context don’t disagree the person himself, just because he knows absolutely nothing about, my Facebook page is so outdated that only contains the basic thing
After all i live in Germany and politics affected me wether i liked it or not, excluding the person just because he is not part of the nationality is tge exact definition of racism which i assume should stand against it because we don’t want another ww3 from another freaking racist
After all, this platform offer a free speaking place were you can exchange opinion and ideas, not for decision making,
Unfortunately, the politics are affecting all of us, the taxpayers, because we are paying theirs unsenity, greedy and hypocrisy
we need global solutions for migrations, climate change, globalization and economy. We need a European government, a united bank system and a united army to fight against bigger threatens. Most of us born after the 80/90’s we love Europe, as we nowadays have more chance to meet all the countries easily and we share so much history, traditions and diversity in a unique way that we want that to become part of a bigger picture 😉 so yes, we are ready for Europe as a country
It’s all true what you said dear Carlos, however we should learn the lesson of Brexit, it’s true the young generation in Europe are eager to united, however the is huge population from old one which stands against not to mention east Europe who not that much in favour for EU itself, last but not least those far right parties which also are not in favor for it
I mean just look what happens yesterday in EU Parlament from Brexit members, how rude?
So yes i agree you have huge challenges that need huge solution (perhaps like stronger United than Union, United States) but my point of view to the events says Europe sadly aren’t ready yet
However it’s not that bad news if you could maintain and upgrade what you already have
For example you mentioned the need of a united army you have Nato which is strong enough to scare Russia which is good enough in my opinion, of course there is always constantly continuing challenges but for mean time is fine
You mention the eed for European government, let it comes from European Parliament, United banks you have the euro so? I mean there is still countries like Denmark refuse it
In summery :
I totally agree with you despite about time and capabilities
There is step should be takrn before considering united, that my opinion
true, the USA is united by the challenges its forefathers encountered. It’s very hard to replicate. Not even the UK can replicate it, Germany nor France the same (cannot replicate it.)
Against! Countries in Europe are already united with free movement of goods and people. Europeans are already fed up with the constant push of regulation after regulation taking away people’s freedom while those same unelected hypocrites pretend to consider it main european value.
Bulgarians honestly nobody cares about your saying. You are not even full members of EU. When you become one then you LL have a saying for now sit and watch and play mob wars with your fully corrupted politicians
you do understand that you just proved my point with your idiotic comment, right? Please elaborate on how exactly aren’t we full members of the EU, I am always eager to and evaluate new levels of stupid quotes by members of this grup. Especially, being Greek and talking about corruption in Bulgaria (which is sadly true) it is a bit rich of you, don’t you think?
Dear Paul, if you are incapable to give a straight opinion, please don’t hang around tolling on other opinion’s, respect yourself please, and behave, thank you 😊
This is rich, coming from a guy whose country manipulated statistics to get into the Eurozone, went bankrupt less than a decade later and is now practically owned by German and French banks. 😂
Unfortunately, it’s just a dream, Europeans can’t even agree on a common new parliament, they can only fight for themselves, maybe a funding is possible, but I doubt that too
“United” doesn’t mean anything. By the way “prosperity & peace” sounds very funny for south.
For! This is the only way to stop nationalism in the long term. And to those who would say it undermines national identity, I would say that even in a federal country with one identity such as the US, states are massively different in customs, traditions and mentrality.
You want to stop nationalism with super nationalism bizarre how your mind works.
The best way to contradict yourself…
because the US was settled pretty much by one culture that held dominance while other culture migrants moved in, meanwhile europe has many diffrent cultures and even diffrent language groups that have diffrent languageses in them, it cant be compered to the US
You look television to much my dear 😀😀😀😀😀 What’s was wrong with Europe before EU my dear , more work, low prices…….just stop with bullshits
Unemployment and rising prices are not the result of the EU, but rather of years of botched economic and fiscal policies in individual member states – e.g. Spain, Greece, Italy etc. It’s wrong to blame the EU for things that went wrong on a local level because of populism and overspending. Yes, the single market means more competition, but competition is part of the game and those coiuntries which fail to adapt inavariably pay the price. Germany and most Scandinavian EU members went through tough labour market reforms in the 1990s and adapted. Others didn’t and are now facing the consequences.
Against – global allegances just perpetuates cold /wars. It’s time for nations to concentrate on their own problems – god knows, we have enough of them!
yes for it but for true Europeans not United states of europe for mass migrants europe for europeans
Lets have a referendum….after all what could possibly go wrong !!
Definitely for
For, we are stronger together! I am really proud of being an European citizen!
For. Needs to happen ASAP
So far it is good just for the big corporations, otherwise it is still far away for some countries specialy minimum wage or benefits.
Not in a million years!
Definitely for
For, i was in study group regarding federalism led by ALDE IM.
How can a country as small as Malta have the same economy as U.K. and Germany it’s a route to disaster
North Dakota doesn’t have the same economy as California either^^
No but part of USA we don’t want united stats of Europe
FOR!! We are already LATE!! 🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺
aigainst! civilized countries should know how to cooperate and respect each other. tools can be intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
Yes for… but without influx of refugees and migrants…but l’m afraid Europeans are not ready for this change for at least another 50 years… cultural differences, languages and history of each country being the reason.
The peoples and nations of Europe shouldn’t need an overpowering bureaucratic European super-state to cooperate, trade and travel freely across Europe and live together in peace! The more political power we give to the EU institutions, the less political power we as citizens have over our own countries and over our own social, political and economic environment.
do you or Google know how many employees EU have?
Too many already.
But you don’t know, so your opinion is based on ignorance. Solid.
Why do you assume I don’t know? And how does the number by itself tell you if it is enough, not enough, or too much? You aren’t very solid yourself.
I assume it because you don’t know. It’s that simple.
You can easily prove me wrong though. When you have proved me wrong I’ll ask how many employees the tenth largest city in your country has. Then I’ll ask if that number is a huge bureaucracy. Then I win.
So you’ll say you know, but you won’t tell.
I was so proud of Europe and the EU when Trump threatened tariffs, and Europe immediately responded. Because the Commission has that power, Europe wasn’t for once powerless.
But in most other cases, Europe is just disregarded. It’s humiliating.
Maybe Trump wouldn’t be so firm with the EU countries if they followed their contractual obligations and payed their share of the NATO budget. Europe’s defense and safety currently basically depends on the USA.
Yes, I agree we should have a unified European military.
It depends who rules… If EU becomes the IV-th Reich, we better say “pass”… Just like the british. Don’t forget America became USA in more than a century… Don’t hurry, because it hurts…
countries should be disbanded in this scenario. Just have the EU and then local counties like Valonia, Lombardia, Bavaria. So local people can solve their local problems. No need for the in between country level
No way, never!
For if we do it with 8 to 10 countries which has reached the same economic level if we have a social and tax policy if each countries binds itself to develop a European army equipped with European equipment if outside borders are controlled…. If if…
For!!!!!!!!!
Against. It’s already a commie like hell hole, can’t imagine giving Brussels more control.
We must work for a stronger Europe and a stronger foreign policy, for this to happen we also need a unified European Army to be able to support that foreign policy. This is how the voice of Europe will be respected and taken into consideration by the rest of the world.
Yeah… Sure… Sounds nice. But whatever we do, after demolishing national states, we still get an Empire, not a real Union…
100% for… we are better TOGETHER!! ❤ The EU is what kept Europe out of wars after the end of WWII… Thank you!!
U r wrong…NATO kept peace in Europa
totally wrong man. Go read trade and border history.
Yes definitely. Stronger together❤️ no more war between us
Yes! It’s definitely the way to go.
EU is already a joke, why make it worse.
sure… the EU is what kept Europe safe and with no wars after the end of WWII… go read some European History. You’re the joke and thats for fact. We are better TOGETHER. If you do not like it, you can pack and leave to America or somr 3rd world nation! You’re free to do so you know. No one is keeping you. Keep European affairs to Europeans please (this excludes the Brits with their Brexit, with the UK no longer existing after N Ire and Scotland get Indipendence from the UK) They fully understand the term BETTER TOGETHER rather then make or break / devide & rule something the Brexiteers are quite fond of after what they did during the times of their shameful empire. Common sense isn’t so common after all, at least with people such as your self ma’am.
You do realise NATO is basically just the US with a bunch of other small ridiculous forces. The EU with all of it combined is still a circus, maybe instead of creating an even greater Fascist state, you should all just contribute to what you agreed too. Did you really think the EU was holding back the Soviets & now the Russians.
we are the EU, and America is another thing. This is 2019! Not 1944! We will not let America destroy the EU. Good riddance for the UK to leave the bloc since they will become thr 51st US state. Scotland and N Ire will get independence from the UK in 2 years time and they will become an EU state. Empire days are over. Better TOGETHER as equals. Peace to you.
100% against. There isn’t a European people. We’re better off cooperating as nation-states.
The sooner Europe becomes one the better. No more bickering. I can’t wait to see Brits faces sulking. The truth is finally emerging about who was really the European trouble maker .
Defenetly yes
yes! “Together” is the only way to go in order to be stronger, in peace and more competitive. Differences and contrasts also exist within the same nation…so…we need to improve coexistence within One federal and united European nation.
No way!
Nato kept europe off wars not the Eu!
Eu is the new fascism
100% FOR? ..but only if I can still be a citizen…#bollockstobrexit
Yes!
Yes! The sooner the better
i would hope that there is an united and more robust Europe, in a form of a one country with many mini states …
I don’t think it is impossible: each country’s history may be different but if you think a little of it many areas in your country had different history than another …. -For example take my country (Greece) , ancient Spartans had many differences in training and they were more warriors than people of culture and science, but Ancient Athenians were investing more in culture and education and that’s why the Spartans were always better warriors…However, somehow they decided after the big Peloponnesian war between them to agree to have years of peace , then of course Great Alexander came and united all of Greece and you know the rest..-
And if each country decided to become one in this way, all counties can do the same, the only difference is the size of it… Each county’s culture has small to medium differences with the rest but the size of difference is not so big as for example Germany with Iran …European countries have more in common than differences if you think of it ….The thing we need to decide is when we can be politically united and what will be our common language, most likely English but could be also Latin or ancient Greek , languages to which everyone could relate ….
Never. The European countries have nothing in common. Different nations, different religions, different languages, different everything.
Even the EU in is present form is not working. Where is the solidarity between the member states? Does not exist. Each country looks after its own interests not taking into consideration the values where the EU has been built. Lets take one simple example. The Republic of Cyprus – 40% of its territory European territory it is occupied by the Turkish Army. What has the EU done for that? What measures has the EU taken against Turkey? NOTHING. The Human Rights of the Cypriots EU citizens are violated by Turkey. What has the EU done for that? Nothing.
I am asking you who are in favor for the United States of Europe to comment for that above.
> Never. The European countries have nothing in common. Different nations, different religions, different languages, different everything.
When the Netherlands started to form, its part were different nations too; kingdoms and fiefdoms. Having waged war against each other, having slightly different languages (different enough to not really understand each other).
Yet over time I became a country. The same is true for England, and then later the UK.
According to your logic, those countries could never have existed. Yet they do.
Obviously.
Absolutely not
#justdoit
Yes, this is the best solution for Europe.
Absolutely not. That would provoke nothing but the end of the European Project.
It’s either that or EU is destined to fail. The only way to survive is by moving forward
And lets James Orwell 1984 become a true
I hope so
Better late than never. We do not need any more reasons to fight among eachother. We need a USE, but with less burocracy.
Banks hijacking EU. It is a crime and shame.
To be honest the United States model doesn’t seem to working at all. This is especially highlighted with the covid-19 pandemic with so much inequality between states. Also the pandemic seems to have reinforced trust in individual EU country leadership in countries that dealt well with the pandemic. Also, the way TROIKA dealt with Greece forsaking the people for the banks with severe austerity and economic death for the country not only highlighted that people do not matter to the EU, it is also highlighted it to world leaders. Many world leaders do not want external loans because of the enforced detrimental effects from the anti-human anti-economy conditions for that loan. So everyone who followed this politically, financially and uses critical thinking skills has gone right off a United States of Europe. Also anyone who watched the movie ‘Adults in the Room’ will 100% not trust that the EU cares about citizens at all. It is all about the banks.
Even today, you just had to post here some conspiracy crap…
Yes! Now
Feliz día de Europa 2020.
https://comoenanos.blogspot.com/…/dia-de-europa-2020.html
No need to debate it. #justdoit
Will never leave the only real peace project.
just do it? Thats against first principle of the EU. Always discuss
we have discussed it. After a discussion comes a time to act. That time has come.
poor you ….
I don’t see how I am poor living in the Netherlands.
Nor for wanting peace or caring for fellow Europeans.
YES, but not with a president style Trump!
I believe it to be the only dificult way out. Take a look at what´s happening around the world. Like us the USA is struggling to stick together. Russia will no doubt try to take over neigbouring states while China has already bought half of Africa and will soon move on to South america. So we really need to stick together even though it will mean concessions from all parties or states involved.
impossible and stupid
No, you will be lucky to even exist in 10 years.
Yes.
Push for more unitarism, and you will see more Brexits.
Yes!
It’s about time. The EU as it is today is too slow in decision making, too bureaucratic, too inefficient, and incapable of playing any relevant role in the global scene, and individual member states are too small to have any relevance compared to the other big powers like China, Russia or the US
Too slow in decision making, just because the real power is still at the nation states. Its time for a more centralized, efficient EU with a true foreign policy.
Indeed. But member states will be reluctant to cede power to the EU and ceding too much power too early can have an adverse effect in people’s support to the EU. So unfortunately it’s gonna be a very slow process I’m afraid, but I hope to see a federal Europe some day. The EU should promote more programs to favor integration, like Erasmus, the use of English as a common European language and so on. It’s ridiculous for instance that in the videos of this article those MPs are speaking in their own languages and there’s not even subtitles
“There are two kinds of European nations. There are small nations and there are countries that have not yet realized they are small nations.” (Kristian Jensen)
This is unfortunately the situation right now.
It will be a long, bumpy road, but maybe some day.
I’m in!
Not in my lifetime. Europe is as fractious as ever, and many of us warned that most of the Eastern bloc was just not ready and expanding so quickly would derail the project, and this has proven to be the case. Eastern Europe do not want to accept the liberal multi-ethnic US-style societies set up by Western Europe, but the terms of the Schengen agreement mean they have to. The ease with which Hungary has gone right back to Soviet-style one-man rule is inversely proportional to the impotence of the EU institutions to stop it.
The EU’s selling points to people, as I see it, are:
1. EU guarantees democracy in countries where democracy is still recent, and unconsolidated.
2. EU guarantees economic stability and prosperty in countries with a history of weak currencies, hyperinflation and devaluations.
3. EU prevents the outbreak of war between European countries, which throughout history and until the end of World War II, was constant.
1. and 2. have been destroyed. 3. is now the only remaining selling point with credibility, but people are already saying, if 1. and 2. were false, then perhaps it is only a matter of time for 3. to be proven false. After all, what would or could the EU really do if two EU members did go to war? Say “naughty, naughty”? The EU has no army and depend on the US for defence, and the US is now out to lunch.
During the Spanish/Catalan crisis some people confidently said, “I am not worried about civil war, because the EU would not permit it.” And many of us had to tell them, “Don’t be naive! Short of some economic sanctions and moaning the EU is toothless if Spain falls into civil war. They will sit back until you are finished killing each other!”
I think we may yet see some things unified. Perhaps unemployment benefits and pensions may be unified. This would take some unpopular austerity and liberalization measures out of the hands of local governments and push them onto the EU, which the local governments seem to prefer, and also give net contributors like Germany more control over how their money is spent, which they also want. It will be a very dysfunctional system, though, where local governments will conveniently use the EU government as a boogeyman to blame whether for painful budget cuts or excessive spending. UK Independence Party already figured out that trick.
Overall, I can’t say I see many reasons to be optimistic.
The former 13 British Colonies evolved into the United States of America. The desire to mimic its design or result is flattering. Europe’s evolution to what its people want must be different for obvious reasons too numerous to mention here. Europe’s goals can and could be similar to the USA, but how they’re achieved will very likely be different.
I don’t know about that. The US could not avoid a bloody civil war over exactly the kind of thing we would likely still fight over today (human rights and central government reach), and that was with a single language. The EU is supposed to make us friendlier, not create new casus belli.
I hope so
I hope not. This is not why it was formed.
> I hope not. This is not why it was formed.
Why then was, for instance, Germany formed?
Never ! Never !
Too many differences in mentality. Maybe we need a lesson to know and understand each other better.
Never. Each country for itself. If the UE didn’t work, why changing a name would e ver solver the problem? And keep the border closed. Schengen only serve the outlaws.
Each country would lead to 27 countries with no international influence who are mere pawns of China, Russia or USA.
Having lived and worked in four European countries, it has always saddened me as to how people focus on perceived national differences rather than the very more numerous actual similarities. If the nonsense of religion is disregarded, the desires, aspirations and goals of the vast majority of people fortunate enough to live in any one of the largely liberal democratic states of Europe, are almost identical. It is about time that we all realised this and accepted that in this era of huge global geo-political, social and religious turmoil, never has it been more important for the genuine creation of a United States of Europe.
Firstly, a U.S.of E. would be the laudable accomplishment of the implied goal of the original Treaty of Rome; secondly, it would be the only political institution capable of guaranteeing the rights and freedoms that we have have largely accepted as inviolate; and thirdly, it could and should act as a powerful moderator in dealing with the current hotspots of national, international and ideological conflicts that are inflicting such damage on the peaceful advancement of the human race.
I genuinely believe that, through the concerted efforts of rational and reasonable people throughout europe, this is not only possible, it is the only possibility to bring balance to the developing new world order.
Well… technically the EU is already acting as a single nation, at least in a way a confederacy would work: we can travel freely between the states, most people (both, in total numbers of the population and by counting member states which adopted the Euro) use the same currency, many programmes are intertwined (like Erasmus or Nordplus), There is an EP (European parliament) which consist of all member states, politicians elected directly, we have a common budget (although for a more obscure target and unlike national budgets), we have a common passport, we have a common health system (you can, for instance, be a citizen of Portugal and travel to Finland for the health system and you won’t need to pay for it), we have the same laws and justice court, ombudsman, we have generalized driving licences and car plates, etc. Oh, and most importantly, we have a common foreign policy. So, yeah, technically, the EU is acting as a single country, BUT. For it to be considered entirely as a single country, first it needs to have constitution, military and centralization. There were already attempts to push for a European constitution which failed (and any attempt would fail again, even deeper integration treaties are having difficulties to be adopted by all member states without opt-outs), we’re moving further to find a European military (thanks to Donald Trump, who made Europeans less optimistic about the US’ obligations) and we’re yet discussing centralization (like a budget Europe-wide which would then distribute money to the states, standardization of business laws, salaries, social allowances, etc.). I say, have a United States of Europe is possible, but it would be too ambitious to desire for it before, let’s say, 2050. And although I love my country, Lithuania, I would go for a federalised European state because the growing powers of China, India, Indonesia, Brazil and Nigeria are making hard to ignore the fact that divided and small + aging population based countries could stay on top of the world for a long period.
It would be nice.