August 06, 2003
Is the EU the next superpower?
Interesting and humorous article from Bruce Sterling in Wired: Barbarians at the Gate - Europe wants to be the other superpower. There are just four problems. I think he makes some valid points. My favorite quote, when discussing Europe's lack of military might: It's one thing to talk softly and carry a big stick, but it's another to talk endlessly and have no stick at all. Well, the US seems to have forgotten how to "talk softly," but at least someone has a big stick. As much as Europe complains about our "go it alone" attitude, their stability still relies on the projection of US superpower, even after the demise of the USSR. Kosovo was instructive to emergent Eastern European countries with old grudges to settle: The EU may stand by, but the US will only let it go so long before it sends in some smart bombs. Compare and contrast to Africa, where the US does not (thus far) project its superpower.
Posted by David at August 6, 2003 02:35 PM | Editmillitarily there is no doubt that europe is a super-power. The EU is like a sleeping steam roller, which could field a force as well trained, equipped and motivated as any US force. it is interesting to note that many defence technologies used by the US army are developed in the EU and it has an industrialised base, altogther that at least equals the US. it would only be a matter of time before a european armed force would develop on a par to that of the 'states.
The one thing the EU lacks is political consensus, as a European (alledgidly) myself, i feel unashamed animosity to my neighbours and this doesn't just stop with common people like me. the French are ungrateful, the Spainish and Greeks dodgy and the Germans downright evil. However I am certain that economic necessity will over ride nationalism within our life times and perhaps a European super-state will emerge.
Is Europe so centralized that it is considered as one country? How can EU be considered a superpower, when it's a collection of many countries v. one USA. This just sounds silly.
What is your view of a country?
A sovereign state (Country) controls their foreign, military and financial policies.
An EU state however must hand parts of its sovereignty (Financial->€URO) to the EU governmental structures for a more centralised co-ordination.
And a US state is the same as an EU state but has handed over even more of its sovereignty to the US Federal government by ways of its foreign but not military responsibility (National Guard is mainly under the States Governor control).
I am an Irishman and European by birth and proud of each of these aspects of my life.
I can tell by the way the commentator "Dom" expresses his views that he/she is probably British a very unEuropean group of Europeans!!!!
If you look at Diarmuid's name the right way it spells "I am Druid".
I think it is still folly to underestimate the inevitable will the Europeans have to join as what one could consider "another United States". Joined together in such a way, their is no question that given the new found prosperity the Euro is bringing, the European Union will no doubt be a superpower, with formidible control of World politics.