North American union

[Fluttershy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Union

Nothing new but I was recently reading up on it for an essay and I thought id see how others view this.

I do understand that a union like this is HIGHLY unlikely for a multitude of reasons but personally I wouldnt mind seeing somthing like this happen in my life time. Canada and the USA I find very similar culturaly(by no means an expert just my opinion having lived on the new hampshire/canadian border my life) so I dont see culture being a problem their, although i could see a problem with the the USA being overzealous about pressing our views on the other members... As for Mexico, a union like this would seem to benefit them the most and would more then likely bring the most complications.

Plus another perk in my mind is that if we (the US) were spending our time and resources on somthing like this we might be less likely to mess around in other parts of the world!

Im by no means an expert and more then likely misguided/ignorant in my views but how do the rest of you feel about this?

[Sphere]

There already is a defacto N. American union. NAFTA, visa-less travel etc allow for nearly free trade and free movement, not to mention the US dollar is generally excepted throughout Mexico, and most of Canada.

[Gelgoog]

There already is a defacto N. American union. NAFTA, visa-less travel etc allow for nearly free trade and free movement, not to mention the US dollar is generally excepted throughout Mexico, and most of Canada.

the US dollar is the defacto international currency, so its accepted just about everywhere. yes the Euro is giving good competition blah blah blah

[Tiwaz]

the US dollar is the defacto international currency, so its accepted just about everywhere. yes the Euro is giving good competition blah blah blah

Incorrect.

US dollar is accepted at currency exchange locations everywhere. Catch? So is just about every other currency.

Go to Japan, Australia... Hell, just about anywhere in the world and try to offer your dollars to storekeepers and your ass is kicked out and told to get proper money.

And please, educate your surroundings of this minor detail as well. Far too many american tourists assume that exchanging cash into valid local currency is not something that takes place with dollars.

[Hound of Ulster]

The Euro will soon become the default international currency, mostly because the dollar has cratered thanks to the idoitic fiscal policy of Dubya and friends

[ShockBlast]

Here in EU we all go to a table and discuss and the power of each country is biased on the population of the country.Germany has 82 mil so they have the biggerst word but the EU has more then 500 so Germany can`t dictate the policy of the EU.
This so-called NAU can`t work like EU because USA has 300 mil,Canada 40 mil and Mexico 100 mil ,USA has doube population.
So what will they use?Economical income?
I don`t think US will let Canada and Mexico have equal power this means that Canada and Mexico will dictate to USA what to do.

As some said is better for Canda to join EU and Mexico should start the reforms if they want to join.
EU is not for european countries only,all the countries in the world who have a similar culture are welcome(Australia and NZ you are welcome).

[Osceola]

Well I would mind it, because I don't like the idea of One World Government, and giving up American sovereignty.

[rathelios]

Can anyone join or is it a private party?
Why base a Union of this kind on geography? The world is highly globalized. Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have a lot of cultural similarities with North America and closely matching economic models. This would have the advantage of making access to Asian and European markets easier for all the partners.

[Tiwaz]

Can anyone join or is it a private party?
Why base a Union of this kind on geography? The world is highly globalized. Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have a lot of cultural similarities with North America and closely matching economic models. This would have the advantage of making access to Asian and European markets easier for all the partners.

Actually, how would it make access easier? You would still have to move your stuff.

And because there is no way in hell that for example EU would let Britain become part of NAU while retaining it's free trade with EU there would be zero benefit. Junk exported from USA(or now NAU) would still face same tariffs and other problems as it does today when entering EU markets.

[wilting]

Why base a Union of this kind on geography?

It isn't based on geography, its based on economics. Economic proximity goes hand in hand with geographic proximity. I would think a pan-Western or pan-Democratic free trade area/customs Union to be a more likely* occurance than any one of those States leaving their own regional trade organisation for another which they have less economic connections with.

North American Union is probably inevitable, unless it is eclipsed by a broader democratic or western one before it develops, but that could also encourage it.

* Where 'more likely' means 'this is what is probably going to happen, eventually.'

Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have a lot of cultural similarities with North America

Questionable whether they outweigh cultural and political similarities with Europe, even Latin America. Canada and certain sections of the United States 'fit in' with this group. Other sections of the United States do not. There have been some mumours of Canadian membership of the EU, so yes cultural or political similarities can be relevant, but not in the way that you suggested. But we know Canada will probably never join the EU, because ultimately economics overrules.

[Xan]

In some ways i wold think it be better for Canada to join the EU rather then a north American union. north America wold be dominated by the US wile EU is made up by many nations and is not dominated by one

[Fluttershy]

In some ways i wold think it be better for Canada to join the EU rather then a north American union. north America wold be dominated buy the US wile EU is made up buy many nations and is not dominated buy one

its BY... unless you are trying to imply the USA is going to purchase Canada (normally wouldnt say anything but you managed to missuse the word 3 times in 1 sentence)

Id say no the EU isnt dominated by 1...its dominated by 3, economically anyways Canada would be better off with some kind of union or agreement with her own continent.

[Каие]

Can anyone join or is it a private party?
Why base a Union of this kind on geography? The world is highly globalized. Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have a lot of cultural similarities with North America and closely matching economic models. This would have the advantage of making access to Asian and European markets easier for all the partners.

Yeah lets not have a union of free movement and trade in geographical locations instead lets have one on the grounds of culture. Aliens not allowed.

[Joker85]

I would rather see a free trade zone/union of the anglosphere. Mexico can stay out. Being poor is one thing, being so corrupt the military is being paid by drug cartels to assassinate police chiefs who cross them is entirely different.

[removeduser_487563287433]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Union

Nothing new but I was recently reading up on it for an essay and I thought id see how others view this.

I do understand that a union like this is HIGHLY unlikely for a multitude of reasons but personally I wouldnt mind seeing somthing like this happen in my life time. Canada and the USA I find very similar culturaly(by no means an expert just my opinion having lived on the new hampshire/canadian border my life) so I dont see culture being a problem their, although i could see a problem with the the USA being overzealous about pressing our views on the other members... As for Mexico, a union like this would seem to benefit them the most and would more then likely bring the most complications.

Plus another perk in my mind is that if we (the US) were spending our time and resources on somthing like this we might be less likely to mess around in other parts of the world!

Im by no means an expert and more then likely misguided/ignorant in my views but how do the rest of you feel about this?

Conspiracy theory.

[Farnan]

Will not happen unless something huge changes. Very few people in either the US or Canada wants this.

[wilting]

Very few people in either the US or Canada wants this.

They will want what they are told to want.

[MaximiIian]

I think a North American union, in terms of a confederation and economic union, would ultimately be a good thing. But not simply the Big Three of N.America. Central America and some of the Caribbean should be part of it, as well. With support from the US Monster Economy (tm), a union could very well bring those poor states back from the brink.

At least until a broader Pan-Western union takes hold as an ideal. Internationalism is the way to go, politically, just as globalism is the current economic direction.

[Hound of Ulster]

...is a right-wing conspircy theory with no basis in reality.

[Hounf of Culan]

I don't think this would ever happen, ever. Would never float here in America, no one would want to join and make sacrifices and concessions when we are doing so well on our own.