United States of Europe?

[CrabPope]

I see there are a lot of Dutch, British, Irish, German and a few French people on these boards, and I was wondering how you felt about the EU possibly becoming more closely linked, perhaps with a shared Government and Army.

I personally would support such actions, although there would probably be a loss of individuality and character in the various states, but still, I assume Europe would be a lot more stable, politically and economically.

But this is all conjecture, I know very little about EU poltics, what do you think?

[Yorkshireman]

Personally, definately NO from me. Western Europe is already politically stable.

[Dr. Croccer]

No. The EU now is fine as it is.

[Mangalore]

No. The EU now is fine as it is.

No, the EU is not fine as it is. It just doesn't need any transfer of national sovereignity anymore. It however needs major reforms concerning its structure, definition of responsibilities and democratic institutions.

At the moment it is mainly a mammoth bureaucracy run by the commission and controlled/ruled by the EU council. While the council idea instead of centralist government has its merit the problem is that the EU parliament still lacks major control rights a true parliament is supposed to have. We at least need something democratically elected like it to give the EU proper control and legimacy.

[Dr. Croccer]

No, the EU is not fine as it is. It just doesn't need any transfer of national sovereignity anymore. It however needs major reforms concerning its structure, definition of responsibilities and democratic institutions.

At the moment it is mainly a mammoth bureaucracy run by the commission and controlled/ruled by the EU council. While the council idea instead of centralist government has its merit the problem is that the EU parliament still lacks major control rights a true parliament is supposed to have. We at least need something democratically elected like it to give the EU proper control and legimacy.

I was refering to the policies and countries, not the Eurocracy. Obviously that isn't fine, that goes without saying.

[ShockBlast]

It's comming and it's nothing anyone can do about it.
EU is not ready to make the step to a federal state.
Currently we have to make the confederal step.All people hoping EU is not going to become a federation should google for unsers.The fact that some of us don't like it it doesn't mean it will not happen.
As it is EU is working well but far from as effective as it can the only way it can work as best as possible is to become a true federal state.Some of us can't really can't accept our contries becoming only some provinces others love this ideea of standing together but hiding ofter the finger will not make the EU go away,in the long run EU will become a federation.

P.S. It's EU not USE,Russia is a federation like USA but it's not named USR.

[CrabPope]

P.S. It's EU not USE,Russia is a federation like USA but it's not named USR.

Speaking of Russia, why isn't it in the EU?

[Holger Danske]

Speaking of Russia, why isn't it in the EU?

1: They do not want to be a part of the EU.
2: We do not want to have them as a part of the EU.
3: Even if both wanted it so it could not be done, as EU members and Russia are just too far apart when it comes to civil liberties, perception of democracy, freedom of speech, and so on... On top of that there is of cause the little war with Georgia. Which points back to 1: and 2:

[Ojf]

Well I'm from the UK and would rather be closer with Europe then the US

[Ardruire Iacób]

Seriously, use the 'search' function. These threads are getting repetitive.

[Arto]

Impossible.

[Treize]

Daddy USA wouldn't like that you see...

The EU should become purely economical again, now it is the Belgians there masterplan to rule the Old world...

[cristophe el perno]

Maybe eventually, but at the moment the EU needs some serious reform (more democracy etc.) before it will be acceptable for federalisation to progress further.

[IrishHitman]

I want the EU to become what the US was supposed to be.
And democratic socialist, but that's optional I suppose...

EU => National Defence & Foreign Affairs + EU competences at present.
Member States => Full tax sovereignty, control of police and criminal law.

Daddy USA wouldn't like that you see...

Daddy USA likes a free and open market in Europe more than it dislikes a European superstate.

[Treize]

Only the citizens of the poorer member states want it...
They want our richness...
They don't care about souvereignity...

[IrishHitman]

Only the citizens of the poorer member states want it...
They want our richness...
They don't care about souvereignity...

I'm up for chucking certain members out until they're ready.
Romania and Bulgaria mainly.

Sovereignty is useless when European countries would be pushed around by international political and economic forces like the USA and China. Unity is the only way forward in a world of hyperpuissances.

I'm not saying give up your sovereignty entirely, I'm saying pool our foreign and military clout to protect our economic sovereignty.

[Chlodwig I.]

Maybe in one hundred years

[DeMolay]

We need to unite , that's obvious if we look at the current international situation , and the way most experts predict it will evolve ..

Now some people are not ready , it will take time , but EU will build itself , possibly forced by the turning of events in the future (wars , crisis , imperialism , insert any event here that would push us to speak with a more unified voice , be truly sovereign in foreign policy matters and promote our own interests etc.. ) , EU will build itself slowly but surely , remember at first EU was just a few members , many didn't want to join but changed their mind when they saw their interest .

It will be extremely complicated , particularly in Eastern Europe , as as it stands now , the "minds" are not ready yet , and many wants a Europe of nations instead of federal Europe , but i'm convinced that EU will be built in the end , it's the only viable solution , i'll probably not live enough to see this though .

[Muagan_ra]

No, co-operation over assimilation all-the-way. Things are fine as they are.

[IrishHitman]

No, co-operation over assimilation all-the-way. Things are fine as they are.

Assimilation isn't a policy of the EU.
That is clear from the veto system....